An assessment of the preoperative information given to patients in the province of Karaman

The purpose of this research was to determine the status of information provision for patients in the preoperative period. Two hundred fifty patients undergoing surgery in the Karaman Public Hospital. A questionnaire prepared by the authors based on information in the literature and consisting of questions intended to determine patients’ sociodemographic characteristics and the preoperative provision of information was used as a data collection tool. Data were expressed as number, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Mean age of patients was 45±21.08 years. We determined that 47.2% had been given information concerning preoperative procedures and preoperative preparations, and that 7.6% had been given this information by nurses. In the light of the study findings, we conclude that physicians and nurses need to be more proactive in providing patients with preoperative information and that, considering the forgetfulness factor, such information should also be provided in written form