Patients´anxiety before anesthesia and surgery

Preoperative anxiety is common among patients undergoing anesthesia and surgery. Patients’ experiences prior to these procedures are crucial for enabling safe, individualized anesthetic nursing care. Preoperative anxiety affects both psychological and physiological aspects of the care process and may delay postoperative recovery. It is therefore essential that nurse anesthetists gain a deeper understanding of experiences contributing to such emotional states. The aim of this review was to explore patients’ experiences of preoperative anxiety in relation to anesthesia and surgery. A systematic literature review was conducted, including twelve scientific articles analyzed using Bettany-Saltikov and McSherry’s nine-step model for thematic content analysis. The results showed that preoperative anxiety mainly related to fear of pain, complications, the unknown, and the experience of losing control in a high-tech surgical environment. An empathetic approach by healthcare professionals, together with clear and calming information, was crucial in reducing anxiety and fostering safety. When patients trusted the nurse anesthetist and received comprehensible information, feelings of vulnerability and uncertainty decreased. The review demonstrates that preoperative anxiety is closely linked to vulnerability, lack of control, and insufficient information. The nurse anesthetist’s role was highlighted as central in creating safety and promoting patient involvement. Individualized information, empathetic presence, and support from significant others were identified as effective strategies. The findings emphasize the importance of meeting emotional needs alongside medical care and integrating person-centered interventions even in brief perioperative encounters. Further research is needed on the needs of vulnerable groups, patients’ experiences, and organizational prerequisites for person-centered anesthetic nursing.