Effectiveness of structured teaching on anxiety and procedure compliance in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Background: Patients with anxiety prior to coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), have increased levels of anxiety which can have negative physical, physiological and psychological consequences. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching on anxiety and procedure compliance in patients undergoing coronary angiography in a selected cardiac hospital. Methods: Pre procedure anxiety score was assessed using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (SAI).For the experimental group (n=48), structured teaching was administered by the principal researcher for the control group (n=48) no structured teaching was given, the usual hospital routine of informing the patients verbally by the staff was followed. The compliance of the patients to the procedure was assessed using a self constructed tool comprising five essential steps to be followed by the patients during the procedure. Results: The mean scores of anxiety before intervention in the experimental and control group was 64.19 and 61.96 respectively. The mean anxiety level in the control group had increased from 61.96 to 63.04 post conventional teaching, however there was a considerable reduction in the mean anxiety level of patients in the experimental group from 64.19 to 32.27, who received the structured teaching (p<0.0001). The mean procedure compliance scores in the experimental group who received the structured teaching before coronary angiography was 4.77 0.47 and in the control group who received the conventional method of teaching was 2.65 0.60. (p <0.0001). Conclusions: Many patients have moderate to severe anxiety before coronary angiography and PCI; which is the most common and gold mark diagnostic test used today for coronary artery diseases. Therefore, routine assessment and management of anxiety are justified. The findings of this study strongly emphasize the importance of providing structured teaching to patients undergoing coronary angiography.