Reduction and management of perioperative anxiety
- 1 April 2006
- journal article
- Published by Mark Allen Group in British Journal of Nursing
- Vol. 15 (7), 359-361
- https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2006.15.7.20896
Abstract
Patient anxiety is a normal part of the surgical patient's 'career' and would be anticipated by nurses in a variety of settings. Anxiety causes a number of undesirable effects which may place the patient at greater perioperative risk. Factors that mitigate against the nurse being able to devote adequate time to this important aspect of patient care will not disappear overnight and arguably, without quality psychological care, patients are being placed at greater risk. This article considers the issue of perioperative anxiety with the aim to revise the concept and highlight the serious implications of giving it a lesser priority within patient care. Alternative strategies should be sought that might also help patients take back some control over their own challenging situations. Practitioners must acknowledge that there is a need to investigate their current practice and that they have a responsibility to address patient anxiety effectively.Keywords
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- Preoperative attitudes, fears and expectations of non-small cell lung cancer patientsInteractive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 2003
- CAM evaluation: what are the research questions?Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2001
- Nursing intervention for pre-operative anxietyNursing Standard, 2000
- Research reportsInternational Journal of Aromatherapy, 1997
- Preoperative AnxietyCNS Drugs, 1996
- Preparation for oral surgery: Evaluating elements of copingJournal of Behavioral Medicine, 1995
- Assessment of anxiety in hospital patientsJournal of Advanced Nursing, 1995
- The reduction of anxiety in surgical patients: an important nursing task or the medicalization of preparatory worry?International Journal of Nursing Studies, 1993
- Pre‐operative anxiety variables as possible predictors of post‐operative stay in hospitalBritish Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1992
- Personality and surgical recovery: A reviewBritish Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1981