The position of a written document in preoperative information for pediatric surgery: A randomized controlled trial on parental anxiety, knowledge, and satisfaction

Abstract Introduction Preoperative information is a legal and ethical obligation. Very little studies have evaluated the preoperative information method in pediatrics. Having a child operated on is stressful for the parents. Improving information is a way to lower their anxiety. Our study aims to measure the impact of a leaflet, which supports spoken information on parental anxiety, the comprehension–memorization of the information and their satisfaction. Materials & methods Prospective study including 178 patients of outpatient surgery, randomized in two groups: spoken information versus spoken information supported by a leaflet, which is then handed out to the parents. The messages were identical: physiopathology, risks without treatment, surgical technique and its possible complications, description of the hospitalization day, and postoperative care. Parental evaluation was made with self-questionnaires after the preoperative consultation, then on the day of surgery. At each moment we evaluated the level of anxiety, satisfaction of information quality and the comprehension–memorization of the data. Results Written information significantly improves the scores of comprehension–memorization, parental satisfaction and significantly decreases the level of anxiety. Conclusion Significant impact of the written document as communication support in pediatric surgery, validating the method and encouraging it to be generalized to other pediatric surgery acts. Level of evidence Level I. Type of study Prognosis study.