Patient Readiness on the Edge: How Age, Gender, and Surgical Experience Shape Preoperative Understanding and Surgical Safety

Abstract

Introduction: preoperative patient readiness is the fundamental cornerstone of surgical safety. Adequate preoperative knowledge plays a crucial role in reducing anxiety, improving cooperation, and preventing postoperative complications, including surgical site infections (SSI). However, patient understanding varies and is thought to be influenced by individual characteristics. This study aims to examine the relationship between patient characteristics and the level of preoperative knowledge. 
Method: the research employed a comparative cross-sectional design involving 300 patients scheduled for elective surgery across several hospitals in the Greater Bandung area, Indonesia, using accidental sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using the chi-square test, followed by binary logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). 
Results: the findings indicate that age, gender, and history of previous surgery were significantly associated with patients’ levels of preoperative knowledge. Significant factors influencing preoperative knowledge included age (p=0.012), gender (p=0.047), and surgical history (p=0.024). Fasting preparation scored highest (91.38), while physical preparation was lowest (80.16). Younger patients, males, and those with prior surgical experience tended to have better understanding. Conversely, education level, occupation, and type of anesthesia to be administered showed no significant association. Preoperative readiness is not solely determined by social or educational background but is more influenced by demographic factors and personal experience. 
Conclusion: these findings highlight the need for personalized preoperative education, particularly for older, female patients, and those without prior surgical history. Such tailored interventions have great potential to enhance surgical safety and reduce the risk of surgical site infections.