Effects of information of the psychological stress levels of patients.

Abstract

The amount of information given to patients prior to an examination alters the levels of patient compliance and co-operation, probably as a result of the changes in stress levels (Dunbar and Agras, 1980). This study investigated the effects of information giving on the patients' psychological stress levels. Intravenous urography was categorised as a short-term threatening experience that causes moderate levels of stress in most patients (Karlsson, 1982). Only patients attending for this examination were studied. A sample of 16 out-patients, aged between 18 and 60 was studied. All patients studied had renal colic as their clinical indication for the examination. This was done in such a way that there was a degree of matching between the experimental and control groups; thus decreasing other possible factors which could have influenced the patient's stress levels. However, patients were randomly assigned to either group. The control group was given the existing information sheet whereas the experimental group was given a new information booklet The questionnaires given to the patients measured psychological levels of stress. These were the General Health Questionnaire, (GHQ) and the State Trait Anxiety Index (STAI). The results obtained in this study indicated that neither age nor information nor the interaction of both factors had any statistically significant effects on the anxiety levels of patients. This was due to the fact that intravenous urograms might not cause high enough stress and anxiety levels that changes could not be measured accurately. It might also have been due to the various limitation of the study.