Aspects Of Psychological Assessments For Spinal Stimulation Surgery

By Joseph Cooper


Before doctors decide whether or not to operate on patients, they are charged with making sure these people are totally prepared for what lies ahead of them. Part of this process involves delving into the mindsets of patients and ensuring they understand fully what will happen to them both during the operation as well as afterward. As a potential patient yourself, you might face going through one of these examinations. You might want to know what to expect during one of these psychological assessments for spinal stimulation surgery.

For many people, the idea of going through an operation even one that is relatively minor can be particularly nerve wracking and frightening. For example, they may not want to think about being put to sleep under general sedation for an unknown amount of time. They might be afraid of not being able to wake up and lingering in a coma. They also may be afraid of what the surgeons and nurses will do to them during the time they are sedated. This loss of control can be enough to damage an already fragile person's psyche.

Some of your anxieties may also stem from not knowing who will be in the room with you while you are asleep. You know your surgeon and nurses will be in there. However, there could be dozens of others coming and going during the procedure. The idea of people you do not know seeing you in a vulnerable state might worry you.

Another part of the examination will determine your readiness to recuperate on your own at home. Even if you stay in the hospital for a few day afterwards, you will be sent home at some point to recover on your own. Your care team will need to comprehend your willingness to follow the post-care instructions you will be given. Your ability and willingness to do what your doctors tell you will play into how well you recover.

At the same time, the examination will delve into how realistic people are about what will actually happen to them during and after the operation. For some people, the hope of being totally cured is too tempting to resist. They have to be corrected and told the likelihood of what will occur once they are sent home.

This disclosure reveals to the team how realistic you are about your own future once the operation is finished. If you have unreal hopes, the surgeon will probably correct you and tell you what is more likely to happen. Depending on how well you accept this new information, the team can then determine how ready you are on which to be operated.

You can expect this assessment to be done several days if not a week or longer prior to your operation. This timeline will give the surgeon plenty of time to prepare you adequately. He or she may also prescribe medications that could keep you calm and focused during the days and weeks leading up to the appointment.

Going through most kinds of surgery typically will involve going through a thorough psychological assessment first. This test will be administered several days or weeks before the actual operation is scheduled and done. It is one aspect of making sure the doctor does not do any more harm than absolutely necessary to the patient in question.




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