This paper aims to identify information on the main types and effects of psychosocial intervention in pre- and post-operative adult patients in articles published in journals indexed by PubMed/MedLine. It also highlights gaps in scientific literature on the subject. We selected 32 articles: eight theoretical and 24 empirical. One of these was a case study; nine referred to the evaluation of the effects of psychological preparation; and 14 dealt with issues related to the context of psychological preparation and surgical care. Psychological interventions were divided into eight general categories, based on functional characteristics. We discovered an absence of research in the field of psychology on the subject, with the nursing and medical professions providing more material for study. We also noted an absence of systematised psychological intervention protocols related to surgical procedures.
Psychological preparation; Surgery; Psychological support; Invasive medical procedures
