Assessing the Impact of Therapeutic Communication on Patients' Anxiety During Elective Cesarean Sections

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, GENEVA · Aug 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a special type of communication called therapeutic communication can help reduce anxiety in women having planned (elective) cesarean sections. Anxiety before surgery is common and can affect how well pain and recovery go after the operation. Instead of using medication to lower anxiety, this study is testing if training hospital staff in positive, supportive ways of talking to patients can make a difference. The training is short and done online, teaching staff to use kind, reassuring language that avoids causing worry.

Women who are 18 years or older, scheduled for a planned cesarean at the Geneva University Hospitals, and able to understand French can take part. During the study, researchers will compare anxiety levels in two groups of about 130 women each—one group before the staff training and one after. Participants will have their anxiety measured using a simple questionnaire after their surgery. The study also looks at how the staff feel about the training and how easy it is to use in everyday care. The goal is to see if this friendly communication method can make the cesarean experience less stressful for moms and improve overall care.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • -≥18 years
• • elective c-section planned in the Maternity Unit of the Geneva University Hospitals
• • consent to participate
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Not-French-speaking patients (interpreter required).
• • All emergency c-sections.
• • Death during the intervention.