title: Effects of preoperative education on spinal surgery patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preoperative patient education (PE) has been used by many institutions to deal with patient anxiety, pain control, and overall satisfaction. Although the literature suggests PE's effectiveness in joint reconstruction, data are missing in spinal surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed patients having elective spinal surgery who underwent PE (spine pre-care class) from October 2009 to March 2010. Of the 155 patients surveyed, 77 (49.7%) attended the class whereas 78 (50.3%) did not.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the participants in the pre-care class, 96% were satisfied with their pain management versus 83% in the control group (P =.02). There was also a trend for better overall satisfaction in the pre-care class group (91% vs 85%; P > .05, multiple regression analysis). Elderly women tend to be less satisfied with pain management and overall treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of PE has had a positive impact on patient satisfaction, especially in terms of pain management.
authors: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, FL.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Papanastassiou
authors: University Community Hospital, Carrollwood, Tampa, FL.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Anderson
authors: University Community Hospital, Carrollwood, Tampa, FL.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Barber
authors: University Community Hospital, Carrollwood, Tampa, FL.
authors: Cathleen
authors: C
authors: Conover
authors: Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, FL.
authors: Antonio E
authors: AE
authors: Castellvi
keywords: Decreased postoperative pain; Preoperative patient education