Managing anxiety in men undergoing surveillance in the NHS abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme: A survey of screening staff in England

IF 1.1 Q3 NURSING

Journal of Vascular Nursing Pub Date : 2025-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jvn.2024.11.002

Elizabeth Lumley , Jane Hughes , Alan Elstone , Jo Hall , Niall MacGregor-Smith , Jonathan Michaels , Akhtar Nasim , Stephen Radley , Phil Shackley , Gerry Stansby , Emily Wood , Alicia O'Cathain

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

AAA is an enlargement in the aorta that can increase in size and rupture. In England, the National Health Service (NHS) AAA Screening Programme offers screening to all men aged 65 to identify those with an AAA. Men with small or medium sized aneurysm enter surveillance where they receive ultrasound scans annually or every three months respectively. Due to concerns about mortality from AAA rupture, anxiety levels may be high for men and their families and impact on their quality of life.

Aim

To obtain the views of staff providing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening on how best to help men in surveillance to manage AAA-related anxiety.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey of the 38 AAA regional screening services in England was conducted. Four staff with different roles from each service (doctor, nurse, manager and scanning technician) were asked to complete an online questionnaire.

Results

The response rate was 71 % (27/38) for regional AAA screening services and 65 % (99/152) for the staff approached. 93 % (79/84) of respondents strongly or somewhat agreed that men in surveillance may need help to manage anxiety. The size of the aneurysm was rated as the factor most likely to cause anxiety. 63 % (51/81) considered AAA Programme Nurses to be the best people to deliver an intervention. Staff suggested that improved information about AAA and associated risks, group support/networking sessions, and more contact with the screening service were ways of helping with management of anxiety.

Conclusion

Staff providing AAA screening recognised that being in surveillance can cause anxiety for men and their families, and identified that potential interventions, such as organised support groups and improved provision of information, might help manage anxiety. Programme Nurses were considered the ideal healthcare professional to help men in surveillance manage AAA-related anxiety.

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来源期刊

Journal of Vascular Nursing NURSING-

CiteScore

1.40

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Journal of Vascular Nursing provides clinical information regarding aortic and peripheral aneurysms, upper and lower extremity arterial disease, acute and chronic venous disease, and more. Original, peer-reviewed articles present descriptions, etiologies, diagnostic procedures, medical and surgical treatment and nursing implications of vascular system disorders.