Evaluation of parental anxiety following three methods of pre‐anesthesia counseling: Video, brochure and verbal communication

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to provide comprehensive and efficient pre‐anesthesia counseling (PAC) utilizing audiovisual aids and to examine their effect on parental anxiety. Methods For this prospective, controlled study, 174 parents were recruited and randomized into three groups of 58 (Group A: video, Group B: brochure, and Group C: verbal). During pre‐anesthesia counseling, the parent was provided with a detailed explanation of preoperative preparation, fasting instructions, transport to the operating room, induction, the emergence of anesthesia, and nursing in the post‐anesthesia care unit based on their assigned group. We evaluated parental anxiety using Spielberger's State–Trait Anxiety Inventory before and after the pre‐anesthesia counseling. Results The results of our study show a statistically significant difference in the final mean STAI scores among the three groups (Group A: 34.69 ± 5.31, Group B: 36.34 ± 8.59, and Group C: 43.59 ± 3.39; p < .001). When compared to the brochure and verbal groups, the parents in the video group have the greatest difference in mean baseline and final Spielberger's State–Trait Anxiety Inventory scores (12.207 ± 5.291, p .001). Conclusion The results of our study suggest that pre‐anesthesia counseling by video or a brochure before the day of surgery is associated with a higher reduction in parental anxiety when compared to verbal communication.