Many patients suffer from postoperative pain, depression and anxiety ( 1). Patients rated the quality of the patient education using both visualization methods individually higher compared to the control group of conventional paper-sheets (control paper-sheets: 86.32 ± 11.89%, 3D: 94.12 ± 9.25%, p < 0.0095, VR: 92.90 ± 11.01%, p < 0.0412).Ĭonclusion: Routine patient education with additional 3D models can significantly improve the patients' satisfaction and reduce subjective preoperative anxiety effectively.Ĭardiac surgery constitutes a major event in a patient's life. Procedural knowledge significantly increased for every group after the patient education while the visualization and satisfaction were best rated for patient education with virtual reality.

Results: A significant reduction in anxiety measured by Visual Analog Scale was achieved after patient education with virtual reality models (5.00 to 4.32, Δ-0.68, p < 0.001). Included surgeries were coronary artery bypass graft, surgical aortic valve replacement and thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery.

Additionally, time spent for the education and overall quality were evaluated among further basic characteristics (age, gender, medical expertise, previous non-cardiac surgery and previously informed patients). Anxiety and procedural understanding were evaluated using questionnaires prior to and after the patient education. Methods: Patient education was performed with standardized paper-based methods ( n = 34), 3D-printed models ( n = 34) or virtual reality models ( n = 31). An improved patient education using 3D models may reduce preoperative anxiety and risks associated with it. 2Chair of Medical Materials and Implants, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germanyīackground: Preoperative anxiety in cardiac surgery can lead to prolonged hospital stays and negative postoperative outcomes.1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.Maximilian Grab 1,2*, Fabian Hundertmark 1, Nikolaus Thierfelder 1, Matthew Fairchild 3, Petra Mela 2, Christian Hagl 1 and Linda Grefen 1

9 time tables worksheets