Preparation for Surgery

Researchers have empirically established that patients who receive psychological preparation prior to surgery demonstrate less distress, fewer medical complications, and shorter stays in hospital than patients who do not receive such preparation.

Abstract

Preoperative psychological preparation of patients for surgery has existed in some form from the time stone knife first pressed against flesh. It is an integral part of the process of surgery that investigators have systematically studied only over the last 35 years. During that time, researchers have empirically established that patients who receive psychological preparation prior to surgery demonstrate less distress, fewer medical complications, and shorter stays in hospital than patients who do not receive such preparation (Alberts, Lyons, Moretti, & Erickson, 1989; Anderson & Masur, 1983; Devine & Cook, 1983; Hathaway, 1986; Home, Vatmanidis, & Careri, 1994; Mumford, Schlesinger, & Glass, 1982; Rogers & Reich, 1986; Suls & Wan, 1989).