Level of perceived stress in patients undergoing otolaryngology procedures

Level of perceived stress in patients undergoing otolaryngology procedures | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Level of perceived stress in patients undergoing otolaryngology procedures Jacek Kobak, Mateusz Szczupak, Jakub Wiśniewski, Karolina Czerkiewicz, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6531392/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Introduction: Stress is an inseparable part of human life. The level of its intensity has an adverse impact on life and social functioning. Illness, medical procedures, including diagnostic or curative procedures in the field of otorhinolaryngology arouse a certain level of stress and anxiety in the patient, which significantly affects the process of treatment and convalescence. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of perceived stress in patients undergoing otolaryngological procedures and to identify the factors influencing this stress. Methods: A questionnaire was used as a measurement tool to collect data. The questionnaire was structured in the form of questions, and contained a set of answers that respondents chose or wrote their own answers. Results: The largest group are people aged 56 and over, representing 24% of respondents. On the other hand, the smallest group are people aged 36 to 45, whose share is 15%. The majority of respondents (59%) described the experience of the procedure as "very unpleasant", while 37% described it as "unpleasant". Only a small percentage of respondents (4%) said the survey was "uneventful". There were no cases in which the subjects found the study "pleasant" or "very pleasant". Conclusion: Analysis of these data indicates a potential need to improve patient comfort and support during otolaryngology procedures. Lack or insufficient information can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety in patients, while detailed information can help to increase their comfort and confidence in a medical procedure. Additionally, psychological support and the creation of a comfortable environment can also significantly contribute to improving the patient experience during otolaryngology procedures. Health sciences/Health care/Public health Biological sciences/Psychology Health sciences/Health care Health sciences/Medical research Stress Otolaryngology Patients Surgery Procedures 1. Introduction Stress associated with medical procedures, including surgery, has a direct adverse impact on the treatment and convalescence process [ 1 , 2 ]. Invasive diagnostic tests and surgical procedures are associated with the fear of pain sensations or complications. The chronic disease process, in turn, coexists with the patient's general dissatisfaction, a sense of reduced self-worth, which often leads to a reduction in social roles. These elements are related to the sense of threat limiting the fulfilment and satisfaction of basic needs [ 3 ]. It is worth mentioning that in the course of life, a person develops certain standards of conduct that serve him in coping with difficult and stressful life situations. These standards are a kind of schemas based on problem solving, affective hyperreactivity or avoiding a difficult situation by performing substitute activities or seeking social contacts [ 4 ]. Understanding the determinants of stress experienced by patients admitted to hospital for surgical treatment, as well as its impact on the postoperative period, may contribute to the elimination of some of the problems occurring during this period, and thus improve the quality of medical care [ 2 , 5 ]. The emotions and anxiety accompanying surgical procedures depend on many factors, which are related to both the patient's health and personality. The more dangerous the disease and the worse its prognosis, the greater the burden on the patient's psyche, and thus the greater the level of stress before the surgery. According to Śniecikowska, the level of anxiety is also determined by the extent of the surgery [ 6 ]. Other factors that generate stress are female gender, nicotinism, pessimism, depression or lack of knowledge about the proposed treatment. Andruszkiewicz et al. et al. have shown that the level of anxiety can rise significantly in the case of a negative assessment of nursing care [ 7 ]. The patient's anxiety is also caused by his or her worse well-being after the procedure [ 8 ]. Patients in hospitalization are also afraid of a lack of empathy and acceptance from medical staff [ 9 ]. 2. Methods 2.1. Sample and Recruitment The study was conducted among patients of the otolaryngology department in the period from August 1, 2023 to November 1, 2023. The surveys were distributed to respondents in paper form. The surveys were anonymous and the respondents were informed about it. Moreover, the respondents declared their voluntary participation in the study and their consent to participate in the study. 100 people took part in the project. 2.2. Questionnaire development In this study, the survey method was used as the main research method. A questionnaire was used as a measurement tool to collect data. The questionnaire was structured in the form of questions, and contained a set of answers that respondents chose or entered their own answers. 2.3. Data Collection Before participating in the survey, the scope of the study was explained in the header of the available questionnaire and the consent of the institution and ethics committee was documented, giving its number and contact details to the authors if respondents would like to see the full consent of the committee. The results were to be used for research purposes only, of which the respondents were also informed. 2.4. Data Analysis All statistical calculations were performed using the IBM SPSS 23 statistical package and the Excel 2016 spreadsheet. Qualitative variables were represented by counts and percentages, and quantitative variables were characterized by arithmetic mean and standard deviation. The significance of differences between more than two groups was checked by the Kruskal-Wallis test, and between the two groups by the Mann Whitney U test. In order to determine the relationship between the force and direction between the variables, correlation analysis was used to calculate Spearman's correlation coefficients. Chi-square tests were used for qualitative variables. In all calculations, the significance level was assumed to be p ≤ 0.05. 2.5. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the University of Rzeszow in Poland (KBE No. 9/05/2020). The authors followed the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki (World Medical association, 2013). To guarantee anonymity, no personal data permitting the identification of the respondents was required. The participants could withdraw from the survey at any moment without providing any justification, and no data was saved. 3. Results 3.1. Characteristics of the research group In terms of clinical characteristics, there were various medical diagnoses in the study group, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis. In addition, some patients had comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes. Among the examined patients were both first-time otolaryngological patients and patients with previous experience in this field. The study group consisted of 100 patients undergoing surgery. The age of the participants ranged from 25 to 70 years, with an average age of 48 years. The largest group are people aged 56 and over, representing 24% of respondents. On the other hand, the smallest group are people aged 36 to 45, whose share is 15%. This is important information because the age of the respondents can affect the level of stress they feel during various types of treatments. Analysing this data can help understand whether there is a relationship between age and stress levels in patients undergoing these procedures. The majority of respondents (57%) were women, while men represented 43% of the sample. There are no cases where the subjects chose the "Other" option according to gender. This division may be important for the analysis of the study results, as sex differences can have an impact on the level of stress experienced during otolaryngological procedures. Data analysis can help to understand whether there are gender differences in responses to these treatments and whether different therapeutic approaches are needed depending on the gender of the patients. In the present study, blue-collar workers are the largest group (41%), while administrative and office workers make up a slightly smaller part of the sample (39%). There is also a group of people who declared a different profession, which constitutes 20% of the respondents. The analysis of this table may be important for understanding whether the type of profession has an impact on the level of stress in patients undergoing otolaryngological procedures. 3.2. Stress level in the study group The table shows the general feelings of the respondents related to otolaryngological procedures. The majority of those surveyed (59%) described the experience as "very unpleasant", while 37% described it as "unpleasant". Only a small percentage of respondents (4%) said the survey was "uneventful". There were no reported cases in which the subjects found the study "pleasant" or "very pleasant". Analysis of these data indicates a potential need to improve patient comfort and support during otolaryngology procedures. Table 1. Respondents' level of stress or anxiety before starting an otolaryngology procedure Answer: Were you nervous before the procedure? Number of people Percentage Yes, very much 56 56% Yes, a little bit 29 29% No, not at all 11 11% I don't know/I don't remember 4 4% Amount 100 100% Table 1 shows the level of stress or anxiety of respondents before starting the procedure. The largest group of respondents (56%) felt this condition "very strongly", another 29% of respondents admitted that they felt it "a little". Only 11% of respondents said they felt no stress or anxiety at all. The group of people who answered "I don't know/don't remember" accounted for 4% of the respondents. Analysis of these data suggests that the majority of respondents experienced some level of stress or anxiety prior to surgery, which may have a significant impact on the patient experience and require appropriate pre-test stress management strategies. Table 2 shows the level of information provided by medical staff about the course of the otolaryngological procedure. The majority of respondents (62%) said they had been briefed in "great detail" by medical staff. A further 31% of respondents said they had received information "only in general", while 7% of respondents said they had not been informed at all. Analysis of these data indicates that there is a variation in the level of information provided by medical staff to patients before otolaryngological procedures. Lack or insufficient information can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety in patients, while detailed information can help to increase their comfort and confidence in the medical procedure. Table 2. The level of information provided by the medical staff about the course of the procedure Answer Number of people Percentage Yes, in great detail 62 62% Yes, but only in general 31 31% No 7 7% Amount 100 100% Table 3 shows the respondents' suggestions for improving comfort during otolaryngology procedures. The most frequently mentioned suggestion was to provide patients with detailed information about the course of the procedure, which was reported by 55% of respondents. Another suggestion (28%) was the use of effective analgosedation to reduce discomfort. The availability of psychological support for patients before and after the study and the creation of comfortable conditions for convalescence (such as appropriate temperature and lighting) were also mentioned by 8% and 7% of respondents, respectively. On the other hand, teaching relaxation techniques to patients was the least frequently mentioned suggestion, reported by 2% of respondents. Analysis of these data indicates the importance of detailed information for patients and the use of effective methods to reduce discomfort during the examination. Additionally, psychological support and the creation of a comfortable environment can also significantly contribute to improving the patient experience during otolaryngology procedures. Table 3. Suggestions for improving comfort during the procedure Answer Number of people Percentage Providing patients with detailed information about the course of the study 55 55% Using effective local anesthesia to reduce discomfort 28 28% Availability of psychological support for patients before and after the examination 8 8% Creating a comfortable environment in the examination room, such as the right temperature and lighting 7 7% Teaching patients relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization, can help reduce tension and stress before the exam 2 2% Amount 100 100% Table 4 shows the level of preparedness of the respondents for the otolaryngological procedure. The largest group of respondents (51%) said they felt prepared "just a little", while 31% of respondents felt they were "very" prepared. In contrast, 18% of respondents reported that they did not feel prepared for the procedure. Analysis of these data suggests that the majority of respondents felt some degree of preparedness prior to surgery, although there is a significant proportion of those who felt only partially or not prepared at all. This may indicate the need for increased information and support for patients prior to the procedure to minimize anxiety and stress. Table 4. The level of readiness for the otolaryngological procedure Answer Number of people Percentage Yes, very much 31 31% Yes, but only a little 51 51% No 18 18% Amount 100 100% Table 5 presents an assessment of the possibility of minimizing the level of stress associated with otolaryngological procedures. The majority of respondents, i.e. 78%, believe that stress levels can be minimized. Only 4% of respondents have a negative view of this possibility, while 18% of respondents do not have a definite opinion on the subject. The conclusion of the analysis is that the majority of respondents express positive belief in the possibility of reducing the level of stress associated with the procedure. Table 5. Assessment of the possibility of minimizing the level of stress associated with otolaryngological procedures Answer Number of people Percentage Yes 78 78% No 4 4% I don't have an opinion 18 18% Amount 100 100% Table 6 shows the level of information provided to patients prior to the procedure on the risks and side effects associated with otolaryngological procedures. 51% of respondents reported that they were informed in detail about these issues before the procedure. This is important because detailed information can help patients better understand the procedure and prepare themselves mentally and physically. 39% of respondents received information only in general terms. Although this group of patients had some general idea of the possible risks and side effects, they did not receive the full range of detailed information that may be relevant to an informed approach to the procedure. On the other hand, 10% of respondents reported that they were not informed at all about the risks and side effects associated with the otolaryngology procedure performed. This may raise concerns about patients' lack of awareness of possible complications or side effects, which may affect their ability to make aware of the risks involved. Table 6. Information about the risks and side effects of otolaryngological procedures Answer Number of people Percentage Yes, I was informed in details 51 51% Yes, but only in a general way 39 39% No, I wasn't informed 10 10% Amount 100 100% Table 7 presents the assessment of the respondents' well-being after the otolaryngology procedure and their ability to return to activities of daily living. The majority of respondents, i.e. 69%, said that they felt well after the procedure and were able to return to their daily duties without any problems. In contrast, 19% of people admitted that they experienced some difficulties after the procedure, but were still able to continue with their daily duties. However, 12% of respondents experienced difficulties after surgery and were unable to perform their normal duties shortly after leaving the hospital. These results suggest that the majority of patients experienced a positive sense of well-being after the procedure, which was conducive to a return to daily activities. Table 7. Assessment of well-being after bronchofiberoscopy and return to normal activities Answer Number of people Percentage Yes, I felt fine after the test and was able to return to normal activities 69 69% Yes, but I had some difficulties after the examination 19 19% No, I didn't feel well after the test and had difficulty doing normal activities 12 12% Amount 100 100% Table 8 presents the results of health complications associated with the otolaryngology procedure. 100 people took part in the study. Of these, 38 people, representing 38% of the subjects, reported health complications after the procedure. In contrast, the remaining 62 people (62%) did not experience any health problems related to the procedure. Table 8. Otolaryngological procedure: health complications Answer Number of people Percentage Yes 38 38% No 62 62% Amount 100 100% Table 9 shows the results of the difficulty of accepting the need for surgery due to stress. This study was evaluated for the effect of the procedure on stress levels in 100 people. Of those surveyed, 61 people (61%) reported difficulties in acceptance due to stress, while the remaining 39 people (39%) had no problems related to stress levels. These results suggest that most of the subjects experienced some degree of stress during the otolaryngology procedure. However, there is also a significant group of people (39%) who have not experienced such difficulties. Table 9. Difficulty accepting the need for surgery due to stress Answer Number of people Percentage Yes 61 61% No 39 39% Amount 100 100% Table 10 presents the results of the assessment of the trauma of the otolaryngological procedure made by the examined patients. Of the 100 people in the study, 38 (38%) said the otolaryngology procedure was traumatic for them. On the other hand, the majority, i.e. 62 people (62%), did not assess the procedure as traumatic. These results suggest that the otolaryngological procedure was not a traumatic experience for a significant proportion of patients. Table 10. Assessment of the trauma of the otolaryngological procedure Answer Number of people Percentage Yes 38 38% No 62 62% Amount 100 100% Study correlations As a result of the research, correlation studies of the dependencies of the studied variables were carried out. The following are the results of the research. Table 11. The relationship between the time to discuss concerns and questions with the medical staff and the assessment of the professionalism of the procedure Multiplicity Percentage Chi-square test Time to discuss concerns and questions with medical professionals – yes 67 67.1 ꭕ 2 = 24.154 df = 1 p <0.002 Time to discuss concerns and questions with medical professionals – no 33 33.1 Evaluation of the professionalism of the bronchofiberoscopy procedure - yes 71 71.1% Evaluation of the professionalism of the bronchofiberoscopy procedure - No 29 29.1% Total 100 100.0 The analysis of Table 11 allows us to understand the relationship between two variables: the time to discuss concerns and questions with the medical staff during the otolaryngology procedure, and the patients' assessment of the professionalism of the procedure. During the survey, 67% of respondents were given enough time to discuss their concerns and questions with medical professionals, while 33% said there was not enough time to do so. When it comes to assessing the professionalism of the procedure, 71% of the respondents considered it adequate, while 29% rated it negatively. The chi-square test (χ²) was 24.154, indicating a statistically significant relationship between the time to discuss concerns and questions with medical staff and the assessment of the professionalism of the procedure (df = 1, p <0.002). These results suggest that patients who had more time to discuss their concerns and questions were more likely to rate the professionalism of the procedure positively than those who had less time to discuss it. Table 12. Relationship between interest in the patient's well-being and willingness to undergo the otolaryngological procedure again Multiplicity Percentage Chi-square test Interest in the patient's well-being - yes 56 56.1 ꭕ 2 = 21.266 df = 1 p <0.002 Interest in the patient's well-being - no 44 44.1 Willingness to undergo an otolaryngological procedure again - yes 56 56.1% Willingness to undergo an otolaryngological procedure again - no 44 44.1% Total 100 100.0 The analysis of Table 12 allows us to understand the relationship between two variables: the patient's interest in the patient's well-being shown by the medical staff and the willingness of patients to undergo the otolaryngology procedure again. The table shows that 56.1% of patients felt that the medical staff showed interest in their well-being during the otolaryngology procedure, while 44.1% did not. When it comes to the willingness to undergo the test again, 56.1% of the respondents also expressed such a willingness, and 44.1% were not willing to undergo the procedure again. The chi-square test (χ²) was 21.266 and the p-value was less than 0.002, indicating a statistically significant relationship between the patient's interest in well-being and willingness to undergo the procedure again (df=1). The findings suggest that patients who felt that the medical staff showed interest in their well-being during the study were more likely to undergo the procedure again in the future, compared to patients who did not. This suggests an important role for the empathy of medical staff in shaping the patient experience and their willingness to undergo medical procedures. Table 13. Relationship between the availability of information on the outcome of the study and the assessment of the trauma of the study Multiplicity Percentage Chi-square test Availability of information on the result of the bronchofiberscopy - yes 91 91.1 ꭕ 2 = 19.179 df = 1 p <0.002 Availability of information on the result of bronchofiberscopy - no 9 9.1 Assessment of the traumatic nature of the study - yes 38 38.1% Assessment of the traumatic nature of the study - no 62 62.1% Total 100 100.0 The analysis of Table 13 allows us to understand the relationship between two variables: the availability of information on the outcome of the otolaryngological procedure and the assessment of the traumatic nature of this examination by patients. The table shows that 91.1% of patients received sufficient information about the outcome of the procedure, while only 9.1% did not. When it comes to assessing the traumatic nature of the study, 38.1% of the respondents rated it as traumatic, and 62.1% did not consider it traumatic. The chi-square test (χ²) was 19.179 and the p-value was less than 0.002, indicating a statistically significant relationship between the availability of information and the assessment of the trauma of the procedure (df = 1). The findings suggest that patients who received sufficient information about the outcome of the otolaryngology procedure were less likely to rate the study as traumatic compared to patients who did not receive such information. This suggests an important role for patient communication and education in reducing the stress and trauma associated with medical procedures. Table 14. The relationship between well-being after the test and the desire to undergo the procedure again Multiplicity Percentage Chi-square test Yes, I felt fine after the test and was able to return to normal activities - yes 69 69.1 ꭕ 2 = 26.574 df = 1 p <0.002 Yes, but I had some difficulties after the procedure 19 19.1 No, I didn't feel well after the procedure and I had difficulty doing normal things 12 12.1% Willingness to undergo the procedure again - yes 56 56.1% Willingness to undergo the procedure again - no 44 44.1 Total 100 100.0 Table 14 presents the relationship between the well-being of patients after otolaryngological surgery and their willingness to undergo this procedure again in the future. The results indicate that 69.1% of respondents reported that they felt well after the procedure and were able to return to normal activities without too much difficulty. On the other hand, 19.1% of people admitted that they experienced some difficulties after the procedure, but were still able to continue their daily duties after returning home. On the other hand, 12.1% of respondents experienced difficulties after the procedure and could not perform normal activities. It is worth noting that the majority of patients who felt well after the test expressed a desire to undergo this procedure again in the future if necessary (56.1%). On the other hand, in the group of patients who had some difficulties or did not feel well after the procedure, the percentage of willingness to undergo the procedure again was slightly lower (44.1%).These results suggest that negative experiences associated with returning to normal activities after otolaryngology surgery may reduce patients' willingness to undergo this procedure again in the future. This conclusion suggests the importance of both physical and psychological aspects in the context of patients' experiences of otolaryngological procedures and their possible decision to undergo this procedure again. The value of the chi-square test is 26.574, which at 1 degree of freedom gives a statistical significance below the level of 0.002. This means that there is a statistically significant relationship between these variables. In other words, there is a difference in the willingness to undergo the procedure again depending on how you feel after the procedure. These results indicate the importance of the procedure course and patient comfort during and after the procedure, as well as the potential impact of these factors on their decision to undergo the procedure again in the future. 4. Discussion Our own research showed that the respondents were very stressed before the otolaryngological procedure. The respondents replied that it was very important for them to provide patients with detailed information about the course of the study. In a study by Akutay et al., it was found that the factors that increased the level of stress were age, gender, type of anesthesia, and experience of previous procedures in relation to pain [ 10 ]. In this study, it was shown that the most important thing was the feeling of being informed before the procedure. On the other hand, in a study by Bedaso et al., almost half of the patients felt stressed before the procedure [ 11 ]. In our own study, 56% of the respondents felt this type of anxiety. Respondents in our study indicated that most of them received accurate information about the procedure, which reduced their stress levels before surgery. On the other hand, in the study by Bedaso et al., reponders were afraid of making a mistake during the procedure or were afraid that they would not return to full fitness [ 11 ]. In our own research, 78% of respondents believe that it is possible to reduce stress before the procedure by at least explaining the course and manner of performing the procedure. In their work, Wetsch et al. conclude that surgeons play a huge role in reducing stress in patients, as they should approach the patient individually and try to accurately inform patients about the course of each operation [ 12 ]. Researchers from various disciplines describe that high levels of anxiety are closely related to the occurrence of postoperative pain after surgery, but also to the prolonged stay of the patient in the hospital [ 13 , 14 ]. In a paper by Kassahun et al., it has been shown that too high a level of fear of surgery can cause too drastic images of the surgery itself [ 15 ]. 5. Conclusion There is a statistically significant relationship between the time to discuss concerns and questions with medical staff and the assessment of the professionalism of the procedure. Patients who had enough time to talk to the medical staff (67.1%) were much more likely to positively assess the professionalism of the procedure (71.1%). A statistically significant relationship was confirmed between the patient's interest in well-being and the willingness to undergo the otolaryngological procedure again. Patients who felt the interest of the medical staff (56.1%) were significantly more likely to undergo the procedure again in the future. A statistically significant relationship exists between the availability of information on the outcome of the procedure and the assessment of the trauma of the procedure. Patients who received information (91.1%) were much less likely to rate the procedure as traumatic (38.1%), which confirms the important role of information transfer in reducing the trauma of otolaryngological procedures. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between well-being after the test and willingness to undergo the procedure again. Patients who had a negative experience returning to normal activities (44.1%) were less likely to undergo the procedure again in the future, compared to patients who felt well after the study (56.1%). The results of the analysis confirm the importance of communication and interaction with medical staff in the context of the experience of patients undergoing otolaryngological procedures. More time to discuss concerns and questions, and a clear interest in the patient's well-being among medical staff, translate into more positive evaluations of the procedure and a greater willingness to undergo it again. Providing patients with sufficient information about the results of the procedure significantly reduces the stress they feel and the traumatic nature of the procedure. This confirms the importance of full patient education before and after invasive examinations for their psychological comfort and improvement of the medical experience. Positive physical experiences after the examination, such as the ability to return to normal activities without difficulty, significantly affect patients' willingness to undergo the procedure again in the future. Physical comfort is an important aspect of patients' assessment of the quality of medical services provided. Implications for practise It is important to further improve the members of the therapeutic team in the field of patient education about the procedures performed. Thanks to a thorough conversation and explanation of the necessity of the procedure, as well as the type of convalescence methods used, it is possible to reduce patients' fear of the procedure, as well as shorten the time of hospitalization. It is important to educate not only patients, but also their families, who take an active part in the patient's recovery after surgeries. Study limitations The study was performed on a small group of patients only in the otolaryngology department. When examining a larger group and expanding the research to include other departments, it can be assumed that each department, according to its specificity, will have completely different problems, which will lead to an increase in the level of anxiety in patients. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate: Consent of the bioethics committee (KBE No. 9/05/2020) Human Ethics and Consent to Participate declarations : Consent of the bioethics committee (KBE No. 9/05/2020) Consent to participate in the study: All participants understood the purpose of the study and provided written informed consent to participate. Consent for publication: Not applicable The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request Conflict of interest: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Funding: None Author Contributions : Conceptualization: J.K., M.S., S.KN. Formal analysis: S.K., J.W. J.K., M.S. Methodology: S.KN., M.S., J.K. Resources: J.K., S.KN, M.S. Supervision: S.KN Writing – original draft: J.K., M.S., J.W., K.C., S.KN. Acknowledgments: None References Utrillas-Compaired A., De la Torre-Escuredo BJ., Tebar-Marti`nez AJ., Asu`nsolo Del Barco A. Dose preoperative psychologic distress influence pain, function and quality of life after TKA. Clinical orthopaedicts and Related Research. 2014. P. 472 Motyka M., Kamińska M., Kochman M. Stres przed zabiegiem operacyjnym a przebieg okresu pooperacyjnego u pacjentów po wszczepieniu endoprotezy stawu biodrowego. Przegląd Lekarski. 2016/73/1. P.27-28 Biesiak B., Włoszczak-Szubzda A. Ocena poziomu stresu u pacjentów przed badaniami diagnostycznymi. Aspekty Zdrowia i Choroby. 2016; 2: P. 23-33 Starczewska M., Kapuścińska K., Rybicka A., Stanisławka M., Grochans E. 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Risk factors for persistent postsurgical pain in women undergoing hysterectomy due to benign causes: a prospective predictive study. J. Pain. 2012;13:1045–1057. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2012.07.014. Ali A, et al. The effect of preoperative anxiety on postoperative analgesia and anesthesia recovery in patients undergoing laparascopic cholecystectomy. J. Anesth. 2014;28:222–227. doi: 10.1007/s00540-013-1712-7 Kassahun WT, Mehdorn M, Wagner TC, Babel J, Danker H, Gockel I. The effect of preoperative patient-reported anxiety on morbidity and mortality outcomes in patients undergoing major general surgery. Sci Rep. 2022 Apr 15;12(1):6312. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-10302-z. PMID: 35428818; PMCID: PMC9012824. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6531392","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":451669241,"identity":"f70d2a9c-5dbe-4522-9d6a-7616a40b51c7","order_by":0,"name":"Jacek Kobak","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABDklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACxgYwTmAwYGBjfAAWOsDAIAGkZIjRwmyArIWHgE1gLWwSRGlhbj/88OEMhjQ5c/ZjaZVf27bJ8R1gPnibh+EOTi2MPWnGhhsYcowte9KO3ZZtu20seYAt2ZqH4RluLQ05bJIPGCoSNxxIb7st2XYbyOAxk+ZhOIxbS/8b9p9gLeeftxUDtdRvOMD/Db+WGTlsjECHJW64kXaM8WPb7QSDAzxsBLQ8M5acYZBmbDnjWbI0w7nbhjMPsxlbzjHA7RfD/uSHH3sqkuXM+dMMP/4ouy3Pd7z54Y03FXfkcGppAJGQOGRgBpvMDBY5gEsHgzyKK38g2Li1jIJRMApGwYgDAL4EW5PximgGAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jacek","middleName":"","lastName":"Kobak","suffix":""},{"id":451669242,"identity":"d9c73635-8d9f-4c7f-8d50-49f9538227ab","order_by":1,"name":"Mateusz Szczupak","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Copernicus Hospital, Gdansk","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mateusz","middleName":"","lastName":"Szczupak","suffix":""},{"id":451669245,"identity":"da1612d3-0a77-4d32-9d20-cd38595bab23","order_by":2,"name":"Jakub Wiśniewski","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Neurosurgery, Copernicus Hospital, Gdansk","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jakub","middleName":"","lastName":"Wiśniewski","suffix":""},{"id":451669249,"identity":"56680eb3-4eba-44d7-9037-410531419491","order_by":3,"name":"Karolina Czerkiewicz","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Student of Department of Surger, Institute of Medicine Science, Medical College of Rzeszów University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Karolina","middleName":"","lastName":"Czerkiewicz","suffix":""},{"id":451669250,"identity":"944e5931-9ebb-471b-bac7-468af78207c7","order_by":4,"name":"Sabina Krupa-Nurcek","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszów University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sabina","middleName":"","lastName":"Krupa-Nurcek","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-04-25 20:08:07","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6531392/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6531392/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":97333887,"identity":"9dbdf861-859a-4d2a-9673-6ef4007ab0bd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-03 09:39:51","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1528056,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6531392/v1/91d0b738-a64f-422c-958c-21c176922dc3.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Level of perceived stress in patients undergoing otolaryngology procedures","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStress associated with medical procedures, including surgery, has a direct adverse impact on the treatment and convalescence process [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Invasive diagnostic tests and surgical procedures are associated with the fear of pain sensations or complications. The chronic disease process, in turn, coexists with the patient's general dissatisfaction, a sense of reduced self-worth, which often leads to a reduction in social roles. These elements are related to the sense of threat limiting the fulfilment and satisfaction of basic needs [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. It is worth mentioning that in the course of life, a person develops certain standards of conduct that serve him in coping with difficult and stressful life situations. These standards are a kind of schemas based on problem solving, affective hyperreactivity or avoiding a difficult situation by performing substitute activities or seeking social contacts [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the determinants of stress experienced by patients admitted to hospital for surgical treatment, as well as its impact on the postoperative period, may contribute to the elimination of some of the problems occurring during this period, and thus improve the quality of medical care [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe emotions and anxiety accompanying surgical procedures depend on many factors, which are related to both the patient's health and personality. The more dangerous the disease and the worse its prognosis, the greater the burden on the patient's psyche, and thus the greater the level of stress before the surgery. According to Śniecikowska, the level of anxiety is also determined by the extent of the surgery [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Other factors that generate stress are female gender, nicotinism, pessimism, depression or lack of knowledge about the proposed treatment. Andruszkiewicz et al. et al. have shown that the level of anxiety can rise significantly in the case of a negative assessment of nursing care [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. The patient's anxiety is also caused by his or her worse well-being after the procedure [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Patients in hospitalization are also afraid of a lack of empathy and acceptance from medical staff [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1. Sample and Recruitment\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted among patients of the otolaryngology department in the period from August 1, 2023 to November 1, 2023. The surveys were distributed to respondents in paper form. The surveys were anonymous and the respondents were informed about it. Moreover, the respondents declared their voluntary participation in the study and their consent to participate in the study. 100 people took part in the project.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2. Questionnaire development\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this study, the survey method was used as the main research method. A questionnaire was used as a measurement tool to collect data. The questionnaire was structured in the form of questions, and contained a set of answers that respondents chose or entered their own answers.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3. Data Collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBefore participating in the survey, the scope of the study was explained in the header of the available questionnaire and the consent of the institution and ethics committee was documented, giving its number and contact details to the authors if respondents would like to see the full consent of the committee. The results were to be used for research purposes only, of which the respondents were also informed.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4. Data Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll statistical calculations were performed using the IBM SPSS 23 statistical package and the Excel 2016 spreadsheet. Qualitative variables were represented by counts and percentages, and quantitative variables were characterized by arithmetic mean and standard deviation. The significance of differences between more than two groups was checked by the Kruskal-Wallis test, and between the two groups by the Mann Whitney U test. In order to determine the relationship between the force and direction between the variables, correlation analysis was used to calculate Spearman's correlation coefficients. Chi-square tests were used for qualitative variables. In all calculations, the significance level was assumed to be p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.5. Ethical Considerations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e This study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the University of Rzeszow in Poland (KBE No. 9/05/2020). The authors followed the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki (World Medical association, 2013). To guarantee anonymity, no personal data permitting the identification of the respondents was required. The participants could withdraw from the survey at any moment without providing any justification, and no data was saved.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e3.1. Characteristics of the research group\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of clinical characteristics, there were various medical diagnoses in the study group, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis. In addition, some patients had comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes. Among the examined patients were both first-time otolaryngological patients and patients with previous experience in this field. The study group consisted of 100 patients undergoing surgery. The age of the participants ranged from 25 to 70 years, with an average age of 48 years.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe largest group are people aged 56 and over, representing 24% of respondents. On the other hand, the smallest group are people aged 36 to 45, whose share is 15%. This is important information because the age of the respondents can affect the level of stress they feel during various types of treatments. Analysing this data can help understand whether there is a relationship between age and stress levels in patients undergoing these procedures.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe majority of respondents (57%) were women, while men represented 43% of the sample. There are no cases where the subjects chose the \u0026quot;Other\u0026quot; option according to gender. This division may be important for the analysis of the study results, as sex differences can have an impact on the level of stress experienced during otolaryngological procedures. Data analysis can help to understand whether there are gender differences in responses to these treatments and whether different therapeutic approaches are needed depending on the gender of the patients. In the present study, blue-collar workers are the largest group (41%), while administrative and office workers make up a slightly smaller part of the sample (39%). There is also a group of people who declared a different profession, which constitutes 20% of the respondents. The analysis of this table may be important for understanding whether the type of profession has an impact on the level of stress in patients undergoing otolaryngological procedures.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e3.2. Stress level in the study group\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe table shows the general feelings of the respondents related to otolaryngological procedures. The majority of those surveyed (59%) described the experience as \u0026quot;very unpleasant\u0026quot;, while 37% described it as \u0026quot;unpleasant\u0026quot;. Only a small percentage of respondents (4%) said the survey was \u0026quot;uneventful\u0026quot;. There were no reported cases in which the subjects found the study \u0026quot;pleasant\u0026quot; or \u0026quot;very pleasant\u0026quot;. Analysis of these data indicates a potential need to improve patient comfort and support during otolaryngology procedures.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 1. Respondents\u0026apos; level of stress or anxiety before starting an otolaryngology procedure\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"694\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer: Were you nervous before the procedure?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 205px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, very much\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 205px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, a little bit\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 205px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo, not at all\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 205px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI don\u0026apos;t know/I don\u0026apos;t remember\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 205px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 93px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 205px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1 shows the level of stress or anxiety of respondents before starting the procedure. The largest group of respondents (56%) felt this condition \u0026quot;very strongly\u0026quot;, another 29% of respondents admitted that they felt it \u0026quot;a little\u0026quot;. Only 11% of respondents said they felt no stress or anxiety at all. The group of people who answered \u0026quot;I don\u0026apos;t know/don\u0026apos;t remember\u0026quot; accounted for 4% of the respondents. Analysis of these data suggests that the majority of respondents experienced some level of stress or anxiety prior to surgery, which may have a significant impact on the patient experience and require appropriate pre-test stress management strategies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 2 shows the level of information provided by medical staff about the course of the otolaryngological procedure. The majority of respondents (62%) said they had been briefed in \u0026quot;great detail\u0026quot; by medical staff. A further 31% of respondents said they had received information \u0026quot;only in general\u0026quot;, while 7% of respondents said they had not been informed at all. Analysis of these data indicates that there is a variation in the level of information provided by medical staff to patients before otolaryngological procedures. Lack or insufficient information can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety in patients, while detailed information can help to increase their comfort and confidence in the medical procedure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 2. The level of information provided by the medical staff about the course of the procedure\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"694\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 148px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, in great detail\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 148px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, but only in general\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 148px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 148px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 388px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 148px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 3 shows the respondents\u0026apos; suggestions for improving comfort during otolaryngology procedures. The most frequently mentioned suggestion was to provide patients with detailed information about the course of the procedure, which was reported by 55% of respondents. Another suggestion (28%) was the use of effective analgosedation to reduce discomfort. The availability of psychological support for patients before and after the study and the creation of comfortable conditions for convalescence (such as appropriate temperature and lighting) were also mentioned by 8% and 7% of respondents, respectively. On the other hand, teaching relaxation techniques to patients was the least frequently mentioned suggestion, reported by 2% of respondents. Analysis of these data indicates the importance of detailed information for patients and the use of effective methods to reduce discomfort during the examination. Additionally, psychological support and the creation of a comfortable environment can also significantly contribute to improving the patient experience during otolaryngology procedures.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;Table 3. Suggestions for improving comfort during the procedure\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"703\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 473px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 473px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eProviding patients with detailed information about the course of the study\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 473px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUsing effective local anesthesia to reduce discomfort\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 473px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAvailability of psychological support for patients before and after the examination\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 473px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCreating a comfortable environment in the examination room, such as the right temperature and lighting\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 473px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTeaching patients relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization, can help reduce tension and stress before the exam\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 473px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 82px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 4 shows the level of preparedness of the respondents for the otolaryngological procedure. The largest group of respondents (51%) said they felt prepared \u0026quot;just a little\u0026quot;, while 31% of respondents felt they were \u0026quot;very\u0026quot; prepared. In contrast, 18% of respondents reported that they did not feel prepared for the procedure. Analysis of these data suggests that the majority of respondents felt some degree of preparedness prior to surgery, although there is a significant proportion of those who felt only partially or not prepared at all. This may indicate the need for increased information and support for patients prior to the procedure to minimize anxiety and stress.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 4. The level of readiness for the otolaryngological procedure\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"703\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, very much\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, but only a little\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 5 presents an assessment of the possibility of minimizing the level of stress associated with otolaryngological procedures. The majority of respondents, i.e. 78%, believe that stress levels can be minimized. Only 4% of respondents have a negative view of this possibility, while 18% of respondents do not have a definite opinion on the subject. The conclusion of the analysis is that the majority of respondents express positive belief in the possibility of reducing the level of stress associated with the procedure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 5. Assessment of the possibility of minimizing the level of stress associated with otolaryngological procedures\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"703\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eI don\u0026apos;t have an opinion\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 6 shows the level of information provided to patients prior to the procedure on the risks and side effects associated with otolaryngological procedures. 51% of respondents reported that they were informed in detail about these issues before the procedure. This is important because detailed information can help patients better understand the procedure and prepare themselves mentally and physically. 39% of respondents received information only in general terms. Although this group of patients had some general idea of the possible risks and side effects, they did not receive the full range of detailed information that may be relevant to an informed approach to the procedure. On the other hand, 10% of respondents reported that they were not informed at all about the risks and side effects associated with the otolaryngology procedure performed. This may raise concerns about patients\u0026apos; lack of awareness of possible complications or side effects, which may affect their ability to make aware of the risks involved.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 6. Information about the risks and side effects of otolaryngological procedures\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"703\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 426px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 130px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 426px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, I was informed in details\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 130px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 426px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, but only in a general way\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 130px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 426px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo, I wasn\u0026apos;t informed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 130px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 426px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 130px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 7 presents the assessment of the respondents\u0026apos; well-being after the otolaryngology procedure and their ability to return to activities of daily living. The majority of respondents, i.e. 69%, said that they felt well after the procedure and were able to return to their daily duties without any problems. In contrast, 19% of people admitted that they experienced some difficulties after the procedure, but were still able to continue with their daily duties. However, 12% of respondents experienced difficulties after surgery and were unable to perform their normal duties shortly after leaving the hospital. These results suggest that the majority of patients experienced a positive sense of well-being after the procedure, which was conducive to a return to daily activities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 7. Assessment of well-being after bronchofiberoscopy and return to normal activities\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"703\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, I felt fine after the test and was able to return to normal activities\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, but I had some difficulties after the examination\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo, I didn\u0026apos;t feel well after the test and had difficulty doing normal activities\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 8 presents the results of health complications associated with the otolaryngology procedure. 100 people took part in the study. Of these, 38 people, representing 38% of the subjects, reported health complications after the procedure. In contrast, the remaining 62 people (62%) did not experience any health problems related to the procedure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 8. Otolaryngological procedure: health complications\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"703\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 9 shows the results of the difficulty of accepting the need for surgery due to stress. This study was evaluated for the effect of the procedure on stress levels in 100 people. Of those surveyed, 61 people (61%) reported difficulties in acceptance due to stress, while the remaining 39 people (39%) had no problems related to stress levels. These results suggest that most of the subjects experienced some degree of stress during the otolaryngology procedure. However, there is also a significant group of people (39%) who have not experienced such difficulties.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 9. Difficulty accepting the need for surgery due to stress\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"703\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 10 presents the results of the assessment of the trauma of the otolaryngological procedure made by the examined patients. Of the 100 people in the study, 38 (38%) said the otolaryngology procedure was traumatic for them. On the other hand, the majority, i.e. 62 people (62%), did not assess the procedure as traumatic. These results suggest that the otolaryngological procedure was not a traumatic experience for a significant proportion of patients.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 10. Assessment of the trauma of the otolaryngological procedure\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"703\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnswer\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of people\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 416px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAmount\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 140px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 139px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy correlations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result of the research, correlation studies of the dependencies of the studied variables were carried out. The following are the results of the research.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 11. The relationship between the time to discuss concerns and questions with the medical staff and the assessment of the professionalism of the procedure\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMultiplicity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChi-square test\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTime to discuss concerns and questions with medical professionals \u0026ndash; yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eꭕ\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e = 24.154\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003edf = 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ep \u0026lt;0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTime to discuss concerns and questions with medical professionals \u0026ndash; no\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEvaluation of the professionalism of the bronchofiberoscopy procedure - yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEvaluation of the professionalism of the bronchofiberoscopy procedure - No\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analysis of Table 11 allows us to understand the relationship between two variables: the time to discuss concerns and questions with the medical staff during the otolaryngology procedure, and the patients\u0026apos; assessment of the professionalism of the procedure. During the survey, 67% of respondents were given enough time to discuss their concerns and questions with medical professionals, while 33% said there was not enough time to do so. When it comes to assessing the professionalism of the procedure, 71% of the respondents considered it adequate, while 29% rated it negatively. The chi-square test (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2;) was 24.154, indicating a statistically significant relationship between the time to discuss concerns and questions with medical staff and the assessment of the professionalism of the procedure (df = 1, p \u0026lt;0.002). These results suggest that patients who had more time to discuss their concerns and questions were more likely to rate the professionalism of the procedure positively than those who had less time to discuss it.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 12. Relationship between interest in the patient\u0026apos;s well-being and willingness to undergo the otolaryngological procedure again\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMultiplicity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChi-square test\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInterest in the patient\u0026apos;s well-being - yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eꭕ\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e = 21.266\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003edf = 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ep \u0026lt;0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInterest in the patient\u0026apos;s well-being - no\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWillingness to undergo an otolaryngological procedure again - yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWillingness to undergo an otolaryngological procedure again - no\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analysis of Table 12 allows us to understand the relationship between two variables: the patient\u0026apos;s interest in the patient\u0026apos;s well-being shown by the medical staff and the willingness of patients to undergo the otolaryngology procedure again. The table shows that 56.1% of patients felt that the medical staff showed interest in their well-being during the otolaryngology procedure, while 44.1% did not. When it comes to the willingness to undergo the test again, 56.1% of the respondents also expressed such a willingness, and 44.1% were not willing to undergo the procedure again. The chi-square test (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2;) was 21.266 and the p-value was less than 0.002, indicating a statistically significant relationship between the patient\u0026apos;s interest in well-being and willingness to undergo the procedure again (df=1). The findings suggest that patients who felt that the medical staff showed interest in their well-being during the study were more likely to undergo the procedure again in the future, compared to patients who did not. This suggests an important role for the empathy of medical staff in shaping the patient experience and their willingness to undergo medical procedures.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 13. Relationship between the availability of information on the outcome of the study and the assessment of the trauma of the study\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMultiplicity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChi-square test\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAvailability of information on the result of the bronchofiberscopy - yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e91\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e91.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eꭕ\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e = 19.179\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003edf = 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ep \u0026lt;0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAvailability of information on the result of bronchofiberscopy - no\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAssessment of the traumatic nature of the study - yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAssessment of the traumatic nature of the study - no\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analysis of Table 13 allows us to understand the relationship between two variables: the availability of information on the outcome of the otolaryngological procedure and the assessment of the traumatic nature of this examination by patients. The table shows that 91.1% of patients received sufficient information about the outcome of the procedure, while only 9.1% did not. When it comes to assessing the traumatic nature of the study, 38.1% of the respondents rated it as traumatic, and 62.1% did not consider it traumatic. The chi-square test (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2;) was 19.179 and the p-value was less than 0.002, indicating a statistically significant relationship between the availability of information and the assessment of the trauma of the procedure (df = 1). The findings suggest that patients who received sufficient information about the outcome of the otolaryngology procedure were less likely to rate the study as traumatic compared to patients who did not receive such information. This suggests an important role for patient communication and education in reducing the stress and trauma associated with medical procedures.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 14. The relationship between well-being after the test and the desire to undergo the procedure again\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMultiplicity\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePercentage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChi-square test\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, I felt fine after the test and was able to return to normal activities - yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"6\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eꭕ\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e = 26.574\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003edf = 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ep \u0026lt;0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes, but I had some difficulties after the procedure\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo, I didn\u0026apos;t feel well after the procedure and I had difficulty doing normal things\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWillingness to undergo the procedure again - yes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56.1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWillingness to undergo the procedure again - no\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 14 presents the relationship between the well-being of patients after otolaryngological surgery and their willingness to undergo this procedure again in the future. The results indicate that 69.1% of respondents reported that they felt well after the procedure and were able to return to normal activities without too much difficulty. On the other hand, 19.1% of people admitted that they experienced some difficulties after the procedure, but were still able to continue their daily duties after returning home. On the other hand, 12.1% of respondents experienced difficulties after the procedure and could not perform normal activities. It is worth noting that the majority of patients who felt well after the test expressed a desire to undergo this procedure again in the future if necessary (56.1%). On the other hand, in the group of patients who had some difficulties or did not feel well after the procedure, the percentage of willingness to undergo the procedure again was slightly lower (44.1%).These results suggest that negative experiences associated with returning to normal activities after otolaryngology surgery may reduce patients\u0026apos; willingness to undergo this procedure again in the future. This conclusion suggests the importance of both physical and psychological aspects in the context of patients\u0026apos; experiences of otolaryngological procedures and their possible decision to undergo this procedure again.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe value of the chi-square test is 26.574, which at 1 degree of freedom gives a statistical significance below the level of 0.002. This means that there is a statistically significant relationship between these variables. In other words, there is a difference in the willingness to undergo the procedure again depending on how you feel after the procedure. These results indicate the importance of the procedure course and patient comfort during and after the procedure, as well as the potential impact of these factors on their decision to undergo the procedure again in the future.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur own research showed that the respondents were very stressed before the otolaryngological procedure. The respondents replied that it was very important for them to provide patients with detailed information about the course of the study. In a study by Akutay et al., it was found that the factors that increased the level of stress were age, gender, type of anesthesia, and experience of previous procedures in relation to pain [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. In this study, it was shown that the most important thing was the feeling of being informed before the procedure. On the other hand, in a study by Bedaso et al., almost half of the patients felt stressed before the procedure [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. In our own study, 56% of the respondents felt this type of anxiety. Respondents in our study indicated that most of them received accurate information about the procedure, which reduced their stress levels before surgery. On the other hand, in the study by Bedaso et al., reponders were afraid of making a mistake during the procedure or were afraid that they would not return to full fitness [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. In our own research, 78% of respondents believe that it is possible to reduce stress before the procedure by at least explaining the course and manner of performing the procedure. In their work, Wetsch et al. conclude that surgeons play a huge role in reducing stress in patients, as they should approach the patient individually and try to accurately inform patients about the course of each operation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. Researchers from various disciplines describe that high levels of anxiety are closely related to the occurrence of postoperative pain after surgery, but also to the prolonged stay of the patient in the hospital [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. In a paper by Kassahun et al., it has been shown that too high a level of fear of surgery can cause too drastic images of the surgery itself [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is a statistically significant relationship between the time to discuss concerns and questions with medical staff and the assessment of the professionalism of the procedure. Patients who had enough time to talk to the medical staff (67.1%) were much more likely to positively assess the professionalism of the procedure (71.1%). A statistically significant relationship was confirmed between the patient's interest in well-being and the willingness to undergo the otolaryngological procedure again. Patients who felt the interest of the medical staff (56.1%) were significantly more likely to undergo the procedure again in the future. A statistically significant relationship exists between the availability of information on the outcome of the procedure and the assessment of the trauma of the procedure. Patients who received information (91.1%) were much less likely to rate the procedure as traumatic (38.1%), which confirms the important role of information transfer in reducing the trauma of otolaryngological procedures. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between well-being after the test and willingness to undergo the procedure again. Patients who had a negative experience returning to normal activities (44.1%) were less likely to undergo the procedure again in the future, compared to patients who felt well after the study (56.1%). The results of the analysis confirm the importance of communication and interaction with medical staff in the context of the experience of patients undergoing otolaryngological procedures. More time to discuss concerns and questions, and a clear interest in the patient's well-being among medical staff, translate into more positive evaluations of the procedure and a greater willingness to undergo it again. Providing patients with sufficient information about the results of the procedure significantly reduces the stress they feel and the traumatic nature of the procedure. This confirms the importance of full patient education before and after invasive examinations for their psychological comfort and improvement of the medical experience. Positive physical experiences after the examination, such as the ability to return to normal activities without difficulty, significantly affect patients' willingness to undergo the procedure again in the future. Physical comfort is an important aspect of patients' assessment of the quality of medical services provided.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eImplications for practise\u003c/em\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt is important to further improve the members of the therapeutic team in the field of patient education about the procedures performed. Thanks to a thorough conversation and explanation of the necessity of the procedure, as well as the type of convalescence methods used, it is possible to reduce patients' fear of the procedure, as well as shorten the time of hospitalization. It is important to educate not only patients, but also their families, who take an active part in the patient's recovery after surgeries.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eStudy limitations\u003c/em\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was performed on a small group of patients only in the otolaryngology department. When examining a larger group and expanding the research to include other departments, it can be assumed that each department, according to its specificity, will have completely different problems, which will lead to an increase in the level of anxiety in patients.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eConsent of the bioethics committee (KBE No. 9/05/2020)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHuman Ethics and Consent to Participate declarations\u003c/strong\u003e: Consent of the bioethics committee (KBE No. 9/05/2020)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to participate in the study:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eAll participants understood the purpose of the study and provided written informed consent to participate.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication:\u003c/strong\u003e Not applicable\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of interest:\u003c/strong\u003e The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eConceptualization: J.K., M.S., S.KN. Formal analysis: S.K., J.W. J.K., M.S. Methodology: S.KN., M.S., J.K. Resources: J.K., S.KN, M.S. Supervision: S.KN Writing – original draft: J.K., M.S., J.W., K.C., S.KN. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUtrillas-Compaired A., De la Torre-Escuredo BJ., Tebar-Marti`nez AJ., Asu`nsolo Del Barco A. Dose preoperative psychologic distress influence pain, function and quality of life after TKA. Clinical orthopaedicts and Related Research. 2014. P. 472 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMotyka M., Kamińska M., Kochman M. Stres przed zabiegiem operacyjnym a przebieg okresu pooperacyjnego u pacjent\u0026oacute;w po wszczepieniu endoprotezy stawu biodrowego. Przegląd Lekarski. 2016/73/1. P.27-28 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiesiak B., Włoszczak-Szubzda A. Ocena poziomu stresu u pacjent\u0026oacute;w przed badaniami diagnostycznymi. Aspekty Zdrowia i Choroby. 2016; 2: P. 23-33 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStarczewska M., Kapuścińska K., Rybicka A., Stanisławka M., Grochans E. Wpływ czynnik\u0026oacute;w socjodemograficznych na poziom nasilenia odczuwania stresu i sposoby radzenia sobie ze stresem pacjent\u0026oacute;w poddanych zabiegom koronarografii. Problemy pielęgniarstwa. 2018; 26 (2): 151-156. Doi: https://doi.org/10.5114/ppiel.2018.78873\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGittel JH., Fairfield KM., Bierbaum B., Head W., Jackson R. at al. Impact of relational coordination on quality of care, postoperative pain and functioning and length of study: a nine hospital study of surgical patients. Medical Care. 2000; 38: 807-817\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eŚniecikowska B. Czynniki generujące poziom lęku w okresie okołooperacyjnym u pacjentek zakwalifikowanych do operacji w obrębie gruczołu tarczowego. Problemy Pielęgniarstwa 2013; 21 (2): 228-234\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndruszkiewicz A., Idczak H., Kocięcka A., Banaszkiewicz M., Marzec A. Subiektywna ocena opieki pielęgniarskiej a poziom lęku i depresji u pacjent\u0026oacute;w chirurgicznych. Piel. Pol. 2005; 19: 46-48 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMotyka M. Obawy pacjent\u0026oacute;w przygotowywanych do zabiegu operacyjnego. Sztuka Leczenia 2001; 4: 23-26\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrzcieniecka-Green A (red.). Psychologia, podręcznik dla student\u0026oacute;w kierunk\u0026oacute;w medycznych. TAiWPN Universitas, Krak\u0026oacute;w 2006 \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAkutay, S., Ceyhan, \u0026Ouml;. The relationship between fear of surgery and affecting factors in surgical patients. Perioper Med 12, 22 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13741-023-00316-0\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBedaso, A., Ayalew, M. Preoperative anxiety among adult patients undergoing elective surgery: a prospective survey at a general hospital in Ethiopia. Patient Saf Surg 13, 18 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13037-019-0198-0\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWetsch WA, Pircher I, Lederer W, Kinzl JF, Traweger C, Heinz-Erian P, Benzer A. Preoperative stress and anxiety in day-care patients and inpatients undergoing fast-track surgery. Br J Anaesth. 2009 Aug;103(2):199-205. doi: 10.1093/bja/aep136. Epub 2009 May 30. Erratum in: Br J Anaesth. 2010 Dec;105(6):878. PMID: 19483203\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePinto PR, et al. Risk factors for persistent postsurgical pain in women undergoing hysterectomy due to benign causes: a prospective predictive study. J. Pain. 2012;13:1045\u0026ndash;1057. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2012.07.014. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAli A, et al. The effect of preoperative anxiety on postoperative analgesia and anesthesia recovery in patients undergoing laparascopic cholecystectomy. J. Anesth. 2014;28:222\u0026ndash;227. doi: 10.1007/s00540-013-1712-7\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKassahun WT, Mehdorn M, Wagner TC, Babel J, Danker H, Gockel I. The effect of preoperative patient-reported anxiety on morbidity and mortality outcomes in patients undergoing major general surgery. Sci Rep. 2022 Apr 15;12(1):6312. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-10302-z. PMID: 35428818; PMCID: PMC9012824.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Stress, Otolaryngology, Patients, Surgery, Procedures","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6531392/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6531392/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction:\u003c/strong\u003eStress is an inseparable part of human life. The level of its intensity has an adverse impact on life and social functioning. Illness, medical procedures, including diagnostic or curative procedures in the field of otorhinolaryngology arouse a certain level of stress and anxiety in the patient, which significantly affects the process of treatment and convalescence. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of perceived stress in patients undergoing otolaryngological procedures and to identify the factors influencing this stress.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods:\u003c/strong\u003e A questionnaire was used as a measurement tool to collect data. The questionnaire was structured in the form of questions, and contained a set of answers that respondents chose or wrote their own answers.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults:\u003c/strong\u003eThe largest group are people aged 56 and over, representing 24% of respondents. On the other hand, the smallest group are people aged 36 to 45, whose share is 15%. The majority of respondents (59%) described the experience of the procedure as \"very unpleasant\", while 37% described it as \"unpleasant\". Only a small percentage of respondents (4%) said the survey was \"uneventful\". There were no cases in which the subjects found the study \"pleasant\" or \"very pleasant\".\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion:\u003c/strong\u003e Analysis of these data indicates a potential need to improve patient comfort and support during otolaryngology procedures. Lack or insufficient information can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety in patients, while detailed information can help to increase their comfort and confidence in a medical procedure. Additionally, psychological support and the creation of a comfortable environment can also significantly contribute to improving the patient experience during otolaryngology procedures.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Level of perceived stress in patients undergoing otolaryngology procedures","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-05 06:55:10","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6531392/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"52588e66-bc71-41d7-8023-cf302f702a2d","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 5th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":48042841,"name":"Health sciences/Health care/Public health"},{"id":48042842,"name":"Biological sciences/Psychology"},{"id":48042843,"name":"Health sciences/Health care"},{"id":48042844,"name":"Health sciences/Medical research"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-03T09:39:25+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-05 06:55:10","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6531392","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6531392","identity":"rs-6531392","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}