Pre- and postoperative information needs

The purpose of this study was to investigate patients' need for pre- and po stoperative information. Fifty patients admitted to open cholecystectomy we re included in the study, 37 women and 13 men. Their median age was 49.5 ye ars, ranging 17-76. The patients answered one questionnaire both at admissi on and at discharge. In the questionnaire, 48 statements had to be answered on a five-point, Likert scale. Our data show that patients admitted for ch olecystectomy want a lot of information both at admission and at discharge. The most requested information was related to anxiety-creating factors suc h as pain and post-operative symptoms after surgery. Thirty per cent of the patients wanted both written and verbal information. This result focuses o n the need to develop and share with the patient both written and verbal in formation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.