Research Article

Determination of preoperative surgical fear and anxiety levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Volume: 7 Number: 1 February 20, 2026

Determination of preoperative surgical fear and anxiety levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the levels of surgical fear and anxiety experienced before surgery in patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the cardiovascular surgery department of a training and research hospital between October 2023 and March 2024. The sample size of the study was determined as 169 patients. The data of the study were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Surgical Fear Scale, and the Beck Anxiety Scale. The data were collected by face-to-face interview method. Results: The total surgical fear scale mean score of patients scheduled for cardiac surgery was 31.9±14.6; the short-term fears sub-dimension mean score was 14.5±7.05, and the long-term fears sub-dimension mean score was 17.2±8.67. The patients' preoperative anxiety score mean was determined as 10.02±7.0, and it was observed that they experienced mild anxiety. Conclusion: This study concluded that patients scheduled for cardiac surgery experience moderate fear and mild anxiety. It is recommended that preoperative education be planned for patients undergoing cardiac surgery based on their needs and evidence.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) within the scope of “2209/A University Students Research Projects Support Program.

Ethical Statement

Ethical committee approval was obtained from the University of Health Sciences Gülhane Scientific Research Ethics Committee (Date: 20.06.2023, Decision No: 2023-201).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Surgical Diseases Nursing​​

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

February 20, 2026

Submission Date

December 31, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 1

APA
Arıcı Parlak, E., Yıldırım, N., Çilingir, A., & Ummak, S. (2026). Determination of preoperative surgical fear and anxiety levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(1), 52-58. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1852696
AMA
1.Arıcı Parlak E, Yıldırım N, Çilingir A, Ummak S. Determination of preoperative surgical fear and anxiety levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(1):52-58. doi:10.47582/jompac.1852696
Chicago
Arıcı Parlak, Emine, Nursema Yıldırım, Aysun Çilingir, and Sıla Ummak. 2026. “Determination of Preoperative Surgical Fear and Anxiety Levels in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (1): 52-58. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1852696.
EndNote
Arıcı Parlak E, Yıldırım N, Çilingir A, Ummak S (February 1, 2026) Determination of preoperative surgical fear and anxiety levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 1 52–58.
IEEE
[1]E. Arıcı Parlak, N. Yıldırım, A. Çilingir, and S. Ummak, “Determination of preoperative surgical fear and anxiety levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 52–58, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1852696.
ISNAD
Arıcı Parlak, Emine - Yıldırım, Nursema - Çilingir, Aysun - Ummak, Sıla. “Determination of Preoperative Surgical Fear and Anxiety Levels in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/1 (February 1, 2026): 52-58. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1852696.
JAMA
1.Arıcı Parlak E, Yıldırım N, Çilingir A, Ummak S. Determination of preoperative surgical fear and anxiety levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:52–58.
MLA
Arıcı Parlak, Emine, et al. “Determination of Preoperative Surgical Fear and Anxiety Levels in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 52-58, doi:10.47582/jompac.1852696.
Vancouver
1.Emine Arıcı Parlak, Nursema Yıldırım, Aysun Çilingir, Sıla Ummak. Determination of preoperative surgical fear and anxiety levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026 Feb. 1;7(1):52-8. doi:10.47582/jompac.1852696

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