A study to assess whether planned pre-operative education decreases anxiety and improves satisfaction in patients undergoing surgery-A randomised controlled trial

In this study in patients undergoing fibroid surgery we hope to assess whether planned pre-operative education using principles of effective communication relieves anxiety and improves patient satisfaction.All patients in the age group 30-55 years, admitted for fibroid surgery in the gynaecology ward of this Medical College who have already received counselling from the treating physician, will be eligible to participate in the study .Patients who give written informed consent and fulfill the inclusion criteria will be randomised by permuted block randomisation to two groups -Group X and Group Y. Planned pre-operative education (PPE) standardised to include information regarding surgery,assurance regarding competence of doctors will be given to patients in Group X while Group Y will not receive PPE. The Amsterdam Pre-operative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) has been shown to be a valid, reliable and easily applicable instrument for assessing the patient’s pre-operative anxiety and need for information. Anxiety will be assessed using APAIS by the investigator on admission and demographic data will be collected.PPE will be administered to Group X. A blinded assessor will assess anxiety on the day prior to surgery.  Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short form(PSQ-18) is a concise validated tool that can be applied to various settings.Patient satisfaction will be assessed by the investigator using  this tool prior to discharge.