CLIENT NURSE INTERACTION - TESTING FOR ITS IMPACT IN PREOPERATIVE INSTRUCTION

This study tests for the impact of client-nurse interaction, an essent ial element lacking in earlier research on preoperative instruction. A n experimental design compared the effects of three models of interven tion: Facilitator, Informational and Routine Treatment on postoperativ e pain and anxiety in 91 cholecystectomy patients. Planned comparisons showed that subjects in both experimental conditions reported signifi cantly less postoperative anxiety than subjects who received the routi ne treatment. There were no differences in anxiety levels between the two experimental groups or in pain scores among the three groups. Refi nements in the facilitator model are recommended to enhance the proble m-solving nature of the interaction and to strengthen future research. The findings support the importance of providing the patient with sen sation information and postoperative exercise instruction.