1. Hospital Design with Nature Films Reduces Stress-Related Variables in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy
- Author
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Åsa Nilsson, Eva Jakobsson Ung, Kjell-Arne Ung, Töres Theorell, and Annica Sjölander
- Subjects
Blood Glucose ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Hydrocortisone ,Motion Pictures ,Colonoscopy ,Anxiety ,Pain, Procedural ,Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Patient experience ,medicine ,Humans ,Hospital Design and Construction ,In patient ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Sweden ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Middle Aged ,Nature ,EXAMINATION ROOM ,Prolactin ,Hospital design ,Oxygen ,Physical therapy ,Female ,030211 gastroenterology & hepatology ,medicine.symptom ,business ,Stress, Psychological - Abstract
Purpose: To examine whether patients’ experiences could be improved during colonoscopy by designing the examination room to include a digital screen showing calm nature films. Background: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for examination of the large intestine and the rectum. Around 50% of individuals invited for colorectal cancer screening choose to refrain from the screening due to fear and anxiety. It is therefore important to improve patients’ comfort during the procedure. Method: One of the four endoscopy rooms was rebuilt to include a large digital screen showing calm nature films. Patients were randomized to intervention (i.e., the room showing films) or control. During the colonoscopy, pulse and oxygen saturation were measured and the patients graded the intensity of pain and anxiety. Blood samples were taken regularly during the examination and were analyzed for glucose, cortisol, and prolactin. Results: The presence of calm nature films during colonoscopy decreased the release of cortisol, increased prolactin levels, and enhanced oxygen saturation. These effects were more apparent in patients who were unfamiliar with the procedure and the environment, patients who underwent the examination without analgesics or sedation, and patients whose examination procedure was relatively difficult and took a long time. Conclusions: The intervention described in this study is easy to implement and might help improve the patient experience during colonoscopy. However, this study was performed in a single health institution, and more studies are needed to further explore the role of film interventions in endoscopic and other medical procedures.
- Published
- 2019