IMPACT OF ORIENTATION WITH THE VIRTUAL TOUR METHOD ON PREOPERATIVE ANXIETY OF PATIENTS WHO ARE CANDIDATES FOR OPEN HEART SURGERY

Background & Aims: Many complications could follow the operation as one of many treatments for cardiac problems. Anxiety is one of these complications, which could be perilous for patients affecting their hemodynamics before surgery. This research aimed to determine the effect of virtual tour training and orientation by nurses on patients' anxiety levels. Materials & Methods: This study is a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental research in which 60 patients from the cardiac unit were chosen and randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. All patients completed two questionnaires on the day of admission, including demographic and Spielberger’s state-trait anxiety inventory questionnaire. The day before surgery, the intervention group watched a 9-minute-long video about nursing care, connections, and the patient’s overall condition after surgery in the intensive care unit, and the researcher answered all their questions. The control group only received the cardiac unit’s usual preoperative education. Then patients completed the questionnaires again. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software with a confidence level of 5 percent. Results: The results showed that virtual education and orientation are effective on the intervention group's anxiety and caused a deduction in state, trait, and total anxiety of patients. Conclusion: Virtual education and orientation could reduce patients' anxiety before open-heart surgery. It's recommended that this method be used by considering a relaxing and calm space for instructional interventions in cardiac units.