Preoperative telephone consultation does not decrease patient anxiety before Mohs micrographic surgery

Abstract

Many factors influence anxiety and satisfaction of patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). We sought to determine the effect of a preoperative educational telephone call on anxiety and satisfaction for patients undergoing same-day office consultation and MMS. Patients with skin cancer (N=104) scheduled for same-day office consultation and MMS were randomly assigned to receive or not to receive an educational telephone call during the week before surgery. All patients rated their anxiety levels immediately before and after the same-day office consultation and MMS by completing the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and an anxiety visual analog scale. Patients also rated satisfaction immediately after MMS by completing the Visit-Specific Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Patients undergoing same-day office consultation and MMS reported similar levels of increased anxiety and high satisfaction, regardless of whether they received a preoperative educational telephone call. Lack of control for patients' prior surgery or self-education is a limitation. Preoperative educational telephone calls did not relieve anxiety or improve satisfaction for patients undergoing same-day office consultation and MMS. Preoperative education and counseling has uncertain benefits to anxiety and satisfaction of patients undergoing MMS.