This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To assess the effects of different formats or media of delivery and timing of preoperative educational interventions on the anxiety experienced by adult surgical patients before, during and after surgery. We will consider the effects of different formats and timing on other patient‐reported outcomes including anxiety caused by the educational intervention, postoperative pain, knowledge, satisfaction with surgery and satisfaction with the educational intervention. We will also include data on service‐delivery oriented outcomes such cancellation of surgery by patient, length of hospital stay and the cost of educational intervention.

A secondary objective is to investigate whether the preferred format or timing varies with individual or cultural characteristics including age, gender, educational level, baseline anxiety, coping style or type of surgery.