Family Members’ Experiences of Anxiety During the Perioperative Period: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Family members of patients undergoing surgery experience various levels of anxiety. This study explored family members’ anxiety levels before, during, and after surgery. We used a phenomenological approach and interviewed 15 surgical patients’ family members. We identified four themes to illustrate family members’ experience of anxiety during the perioperative period: anxiety before surgery impacted the body and mind, anxiety peaked during surgery, anxiety eased and regulated after surgery, and family members coped with their anxiety. Family members identified self-regulation of anxiety as a key strategy for avoiding becoming overwhelmed. Perioperative nurses can use these findings to gain an understanding and awareness of how family members’ anxiety ebbs and flows during the perioperative period. They can assess waiting family members’ anxiety and provide interventions, such as listening with empathy and providing accurate information and updates, to help mitigate the anxiety.