Managing patient anxiety while undergoing skin cancer excision

Posted on by Abbie Shortt

Do you have many patients with anxiety? This month’s article deals with a – perhaps – uncommon, but not unimportant issue: managing patient anxiety while undergoing skin cancer excision.

The authors of this paper did a randomised trial of stress ball squeezing or hand-holding or no intervention, while patients underwent a skin cancer excision under local anaesthetic.

The study showed no difference between all three groups. Patient anxiety levels were not high to start with (3 on a score of 1-6), and levels fell over time in each group.

Using a stress ball or hand holding has no effect on reducing stress. So, what is your own practice if you sense that a patient is anxious? Probably clear, confident, reassurance from you – as the doctor – is sufficient.

I really appreciate these simple, pragmatic trials, that help us build an evidence base around our day to day work.

Professor David Wilkinson

Read more from Professor David Wilkinson on recent research:

Interested in skin cancer medicine?

The HealthCert Professional Diploma programs offer foundation to advanced training in skin cancer medicine, skin cancer surgery or dermoscopy and provide an essential step towards subspecialisation. All programs are university quality-assured, CPD-accredited and count towards multiple Master degree pathways and clinical attachment programs in Australia and overseas. The programs are delivered online and/or face-to-face across most major cities of Australia.

Courses in Skin Cancer Medicine:
Melbourne | Adelaide | Gold Coast | Brisbane | Perth | Sydney | Online

Courses in Skin Cancer Surgery:
Melbourne | Adelaide | Gold Coast | Brisbane | Perth | Sydney

Online courses in Dermoscopy:
Trimester 1: Jan | Trimester 2: May | Trimester 3: Sep

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *