Multimedia Information and Pre-operative Anxiety

A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial of the Impact of Multimedia Information to Reduce Pre-operative Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Major Elective Surgery

The aim of this study is to investigate a possible reduction in pre-operative anxiety in patients undergoing major elective surgery, by providing multimedia information regarding the patient pathway to and from the Operating Theatre.

To determine whether multimedia information reduces the level of pre-operative anxiety in patients undergoing major elective surgery. To evaluate the efficacy of a video, showing the patient pathway to and from the Operating Theatre, compared with standard information, a written leaflet, about the operating room experience and environment.

Inclusion Criteria:

Adult patients undergoing major elective surgery, never previously undergoing surgery as an adult (>18) and admitted to hospital at least one day before the scheduled surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients unable to give consent.
• Patients not able to watch the video.
• Patients admitted the same day of the planned surgery.
• Patients not at the first experience of surgery as an adult (>18).