In historical terms, the psychologist insertion intohospital setting has primordially been through focal and methodical interventions with patients who were submitted to surgical or invasive procedures at health services. However, despite the continuity and importance of these activities, it is possible to confirm the scarcity of researches about efficacy of psychological preparation methods. In that case, this study initially proposes a critical review of literature, and afterwards it presents a survey realized in hospital units which includes observations of medical attention and interviews with health professionals. The needs and expectations related to psychologist intervention are analyzed and discussed. The results show the importance of the formation and training of such professional. The authors also suggest the realization of more investigations specially into meta-analysis study in the Brazilian context. Therefore, they recommend of surveys of the more utilized interventions, like this study.
psychological preparation methods; surgery; invasive procedures; psychologist intervention