Calming chat before surgery cuts patient anxiety

This study tested whether a brief, personalized conversation with a nurse right before surgery could help patients feel less anxious. Researchers compared 314 adults having outpatient surgery—one group received standard care, while the other got an extra 15-20 minute session where a nurse listened to their fears, explained the process, and taught simple calming techniques. The goal was to see if this human-centered approach improved the patient's experience and reduced measurable anxiety.