BACKGROUND: Receiving preoperative information is a right of all parents whose children are admitted for surgery. Information for parents can help to prepare children and lessen anxiety for both parent and child. AIM: This study aims to assess the preoperative information needs of parents. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to select 100 parents whose children, aged between 0 and 18 years, were admitted for surgery. The Parents Desire for Information scale was used to collect the data, which were then analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The majority of the sample indicated that it is essential to receive preoperative information. The aspects of preoperative information rated as essential were as follows: need for the surgery; duration of hospitalisation; informed consent; fasting time; investigations; medications; physical preparations; dress code for the child; waiting time and place; parental involvement in the operating theatre/recovery/ward; pain management; post-operative care including eating, drinking, ambulation, wound care, discharge instructions and follow up. The majority (60%) of the parents said that they prefer to receive verbal instructions. The majority (63%) of the study participants said that it was the doctors who provided the information, and of these, 70% rated the information received as good. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that parents of children undergoing surgery welcome comprehensive preoperative information.
BACKGROUND: Receiving preoperative information is a right of all parents whose children are admitted for surgery. Information for parents can help to prepare children and lessen anxiety for both parent and child. AIM: This study aims to assess the preoperative information needs of parents. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to select 100 parents whose children, aged between 0 and 18 years, were admitted for surgery. The Parents Desire for Information scale was used to collect the data, which were then analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The majority of the sample indicated that it is essential to receive preoperative information. The aspects of preoperative information rated as essential were as follows: need for the surgery; duration of hospitalisation; informed consent; fasting time; investigations; medications; physical preparations; dress code for the child; waiting time and place; parental involvement in the operating theatre/recovery/ward; pain management; post-operative care including eating, drinking, ambulation, wound care, discharge instructions and follow up. The majority (60%) of the parents said that they prefer to receive verbal instructions. The majority (63%) of the study participants said that it was the doctors who provided the information, and of these, 70% rated the information received as good. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that parents of children undergoing surgery welcome comprehensive preoperative information.