Journal of surgical education
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Will a 1-page informational handout decrease patients' most common fears of anesthesia and surgery?
The objective of this study was to determine whether an informational handout alone could measurably reduce some of the most common fears patients have about anesthesia and surgery. ⋯ With just over 40% of patients demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in their fear levels, consideration should given to making an informational handout available on a routine basis to patients in preoperative anesthesia and surgical clinics. Additionally, it seems that younger patients (under the age of 40 years old) and those with no prior surgeries are the most likely to benefit from such a handout.