Preparation of adolescents for outpatient surgery: using an Internet program.

This study compared the effectiveness of an Internet-based method with a standard method for preparing adolescent patients scheduled for out-patient tonsillectomy procedures. A two-group experimental design compared adolescents' state anxiety, knowledge acquisition, postoperative pain intensity, and satisfaction with the method of preoperative preparation. Parents' state anxiety and satisfaction with their child's preparation method also were compared. Data analysis revealed significantly increased knowledge acquisition and satisfaction among adolescents who were assigned to the Internet method of preparation and increased satisfaction among their parents.