Managing Pre-Surgical Anxiety: Innovative Mental Health Strategies to Improve Outcomes

Feeling anxious before undergoing surgery is a common experience for many patients. However, research shows that preoperative anxiety can extend beyond mere nerves, potentially impairing recovery and increasing risks. A growing body of evidence indicates that mental health issues prior to surgery—such as anxiety and depression—are linked to poorer outcomes, including higher complication rates within the first 30 days and even increased mortality within a year. Moreover, many patients rate anxiety as one of the most distressing aspects of their surgical journey, often more troublesome than pain or other recovery challenges.

Despite this, mental health support remains underprovided in surgical care, even as both patients and healthcare professionals recognize its importance. The surge in demand for surgeries—driven by an aging population and advances in medical technology—has heightened pressures on healthcare systems, leading to longer wait times, cancellations, and delays. These postponements can exacerbate patients’ mental health struggles, creating a cycle of worsening physical and psychological well-being.

Fortunately, the extended waiting period before surgery offers an opportunity to identify and support high-risk patients. Early screening for mental health issues allows for targeted interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which has been shown to improve pain management and functional recovery. International organizations, including the World Health Organization, advocate for integrating mental health care into surgical pathways.

In recent years, digital innovations have emerged as promising tools for supporting perioperative mental health. Virtual reality programs and online psychological treatments provide accessible, acceptable, and effective means to prepare patients mentally for surgery, reduce anxiety, and enhance their sense of control. These tools aim to complement, not replace, traditional care, extending reach and improving patient satisfaction.

Addressing mental health is crucial not only for individual recovery but also for the overall efficiency of healthcare systems. Investment in mental health resources, integration of digital health solutions, and a comprehensive approach to patient care are necessary steps toward optimizing surgical outcomes. Building a healthcare system that cares for the whole patient—mind and body—is essential for advancing perioperative support and improving quality of life for surgical patients.