DefinePK

Research Objective

To develop a scale for assessing death anxiety in pre-operative patients.

Methodology

Cross-sectional study conducted at District Head Quarters Gujranwala, Fazal Hospital Gujranwala, Gondal Hospital Gujranwala, and Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from April to November 2020. Three hundred and fifty patients were included. The study employed a one-factor solution due to data homogeneity. Patient symptom severity was assessed using a subjective rating scale. The developed scale's validity was compared with the translated Arabian version of the death anxiety scale. The scale was developed in three stages: data gathering on death anxiety symptoms, empirical validation by clinical psychologists, and psychometric property establishment. Statistical analysis included SPSS version 23.0, with quantitative variables summarized as mean±SD and qualitative variables as frequency and percentages. Independent sample t-test and Principal Component factor analysis were used.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Data Collection from 350 Pre-Surgical Patients"] --> B["Scale Development Stages: Symptom Checklist, Empirical Validation, Psychometric Properties"];
    B --> C["Statistical Analysis: SPSS, Factor Analysis, Reliability & Validity Tests"];
    C --> D["One-Factor Solution Identified"];
    D --> E["Comparison with Arabian Death Anxiety Scale"];
    E --> F["Final Death Anxiety Scale for Pre-Surgical Patients"];                    

Discussion

The indigenously developed scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing death anxiety in pre-surgical patients, focusing on psychosomatic symptoms. The scale's one-factor solution is attributed to the homogeneity of symptoms experienced by pre-surgical patients in Pakistan. The scale has been used in hypnotherapy to manage death anxiety in pre-operative patients.

Key Findings

A one-component solution best fit the indigenously developed scale, as indicated by Varimax rotation and scree plot. Patients in Pakistani culture tend to experience more psychosomatic symptoms of death anxiety rather than emotional ones. The developed scale demonstrated moderate consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.822) and high concurrent validity (0.85) when compared with the translated Arabian version of the death anxiety scale.

Conclusion

The indigenously developed scale would help manage pre-surgical patients' psychosomatic symptoms of death anxiety.

Fact Check

- The study was conducted from April to November 2020. (Confirmed in Methodology section)
- Three hundred and fifty patients were included in the study. (Confirmed in Methodology section)
- The developed scale had a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.822. (Confirmed in Results section, Table-III)

Mind Map