The Status and Expectations of the Relatives of Surgery Patients in the Waiting Area of Guilan Academic Hospitals

Background: The situation of the relatives of surgery patients in waiting areas is an important issue, which has not been investigated in Guilan province, so this study was planned. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Guilan academic hospitals (Razi-Poorsina-Heshmat-Alzahra–Amir al Momenin) from Feb 2022 to Dec 2022. Relatives of patients who underwent elective surgeries enrolled the survey. A questionnaire containing two parts of demographic data and 12 items assessing relative’s conditions in waiting area was filled out via a direct interview. Results: 318 relatives enrolled the survey. 93.2% of patients’ relatives were first-degree relatives.76.7% had information about the surgery. 41.5% were informed of their patient’s status in operating room. Fear of not emergence from anesthesia 109(34.3%) and death 105(33.0%) were the main causes of anxiety which was reported as 8.23±28.2 from 10 and only 6(1.9%) had financial concern. 86.8% of the responders declared that being informed from their patient’s condition in operating room, was the most effective approach to reduce their anxiety. A positive and highly significant association was observed between the level of education and receiving explanation from surgeon, anesthesiologist and being informed from patients’ status in waiting area (p=0.001). Conclusion: It was found that relatives of surgery patients suffered from high degrees of anxiety mainly due to fear of death and not emergence from anesthesia. They stated that being informed from their patient’s conditions was the most powerful factor in reducing their anxiety.