Effect of Structured Information on Immediate Preoperative Anxiety and Uncertainty for Women Undergoing Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Purpose of this study was to identify the effect of structured information on immediate preoperative anxiety and uncertainty for women undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy. METHODS: Sixty women who were admitted for total laparoscopic hysterectomy were recruited at a university hospital in Gyeonggi-do from June to October 2014. Thirty women were assigned to either the experimental or the control group. Women in the experimental group were provided structured information, which consisted of visual and auditory materials about surgical preparation and process, practical experience on devices such as IV-PCA pump and Inspiro-meter and actual experience on route to go to the operating room. State-anxiety, uncertainty, and blood pressure and pulse rate as biological indicators were measured before and after the intervention to examine the effect. RESULTS: Significant group differences were found on state anxiety, uncertainty, including ambiguity, inconsistency, and unpredictability at the holding area. There was a significant difference on pulse rate in the operating room between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrated that the structured information provided for women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy preoperatively was effective on immediate preoperative anxiety and uncertainty. Nurses may contribute to decreasing patients' anxiety and uncertainty by utilizing this structured information preoperatively.