Patient stress and satisfaction when allowed the presence of an accompanying person during endoscopy ()
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy
(EGD) have variable stress and anxiety and therefore commonly receive
medications as sedative-anxiolytics. These medications have small but
significant risks. To possibly make procedures safer and to increase patient
satisfaction, this study aimed to measure the effects of allowing an
accompanying person (AP) to be present in the endoscopy suite during EGD. Patients
and Methods: Forty-two patients were randomly divided into two groups who would
either be or not be offered to have an AP during endoscopy. Spielberger’s
well-validated state and trait anxiety evaluations were administered to
patients before and after EGD. APs also completed questionnaires as to their
reactions after EGD. Results: 84.2% of the patients after EGD recommended
accompaniment. Patients who underwent EGD with an AP tended (p < 0.06) to
have decreased measurable anxiety compared to patients who were not offered an
AP. The benefit was significant for persons with higher levels of anxiety prior
to EGD (p < 0.04). Patients undergoing EGD for the first time had significantly
more anxiety than those with previous EGD experience (p < 0.034). There was
no significant reduction in sedative dosage when APs were present. Conclusions:
Offering to permit the presence of an accompanying person during EGD was often
shown to improve patient satisfaction and reduce anxiety.
Share and Cite:
Lachter, J. and Bluen, B. (2013) Patient stress and satisfaction when allowed the presence of an accompanying person during endoscopy.
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
3, 78-83. doi:
10.4236/ojgas.2013.31012.