Title: Anaesthesiology- Patient perception and knowledge about the specialty and the specialist
Authors: Dr Manjit George, Mr Jinu Kurian, Dr D Girijanandan Menon, Dr Kiron Jacob Johncy, Dr Shaloo Ipe
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i5.106
Abstract
Background: A certain level of knowledge about different types of anaesthesia is imperative for the patient undergoing surgery. Use of newer drugs and advances in technology has revolutionized practice of anaesthesia. The public’s knowledge about anaesthesia and anaesthesiologist remains poor. There is an excellent opportunity to improve this through social media. This study was done in our hospital, in 100 patients posted for elective surgeries.
Aim: To assess the patients’ knowledge of anaesthesia and role of anaesthesiologist.
Study Design: Cross sectional study over 2 months.
Methods: A pre designed questionnaire was used for evaluation of patient knowledge regarding the different types of anaesthesia and the role of anaesthesiologist.
Results: The completed questionnaires were analyzed. Age of the participants varied from 16 to 72 years, with equal number of males and females. Majority of study participants had high school education or above. Most of the patients used whatsapp and/or facebook. More than one third of the patients had at least one previous exposure to anaesthesia. Knowledge about the different techniques of anaesthesia varied widely. Awareness about importance of pre-operative fasting was restricted to 65%. Only 21% rightly answered about the routes of administration of general anaesthesia. Very few patients knew about the different types of regional anaesthesia methods, its advantages and complications. Most patients knew that anaesthesiologists were doctors and anaesthesiology was a separate medical specialty, but only very few clearly understood the perioperative roles of an anaesthesiologist.
Conclusion: Patient perception about anaesthesiology and anaesthesiologist remains poor, even in this era of information technology, despite all the recent advances witnessed by this specialty.
Keywords: patient perception, awareness, education, anaesthesiology, anaesthesia, anesthesiologist
References
- Swinhoe CF, Groves ER. Patients’knowledge of anaesthetic practice and the rôle of anaesthetists. Anaesthesia. 1994 Feb 1;49(2):165–6.
- Lee JJ, Lee NH, Park CM, Hong SJ, Kong M-H, Lee KH, et al. Public awareness about the specialty of anesthesiology and the role of anesthesiologists: a national survey. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2014 Jan;66(1):12–7.
- Gurunathan DU, Jacob DR. THE PUBLIC’S PERCEPTION OF ANAESTHESIOLOGISTS – INDIAN ATTITUDES. INDIAN J Anaesth. 2004;5.
- Naithani U, Purohit D, Bajaj P. Public Awareness About Anaesthesia and Anaesthesiologist: A Survey. Indian J Anaesth. 2007 Sep 1;51(5):420.
- Khara BN, Rupera KB, Gondalia KR, Kamat HV. KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ANESTHESIA AND PERCEPTION ABOUT ANESTHESIOLOGISTS AMONG PATIENTS AT A RURAL TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY. 3(4):3.
- Effect of Pre-Operative Counselling on Post-Operative Outcome in Hernia Surgery Patients. 2013;5(7):6.
- Chou R, Gordon DB, Leon-Casasola OA de, Rosenberg JM, Bickler S, Brennan T, et al. Management of Postoperative Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Pain Society, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Committee on Regional Anesthesia, Executive Committee, and Administrative Council. J Pain. 2016 Feb 1;17(2):131–57.
- Keep PJ, Jenkins JR. As others see us. The patient’s view of the anaesthetist. Anaesthesia. 1978 Jan;33(1):43–5.
- Herman CR. An appraisal of the anaesthetist-patient relationship. Anaesthesia. 1978 Jan;33(1):45–8.
- Singh T, Sharma S, Banerjee B, Garg S. Knowledge regarding anesthesiologist and anesthesiology among patients and attendants attending a rural hospital of New Delhi. J Educ Health Promot. 2018;7(1):12.
- Chew ST, Tan T, Tan SS, Ip-Yam PC. A survey of patients’ knowledge of anaesthesia and perioperative care. Singapore Med J. 1998 Sep;39(9):399–402.
- Mathur SK, Dube SK, Jain S. Knowledge about Anaesthesia and Anaesthesiologist Amongst General Population in India. Indian J Anaesth. 2009 Apr;53(2):179–86.
- Saal D, Heidegger T, Nuebling M, Germann R. Does a postoperative visit increase patient satisfaction with anaesthesia care? BJA Br J Anaesth. 2011 Nov 1;107(5):703–9.