Ahsan Ul Haq, Waqar Azim, Mubeen M.
A survey of patients awareness about the peri-operative role of Anesthetists.
Biomedica Jan ;20(1):5-9.

Anaesthesia is of vital importance for all surgical and allied specialties and anaesthetist is also required in intensive care departments especially involving the use of ventilators. Despite his skill and sensitive nature of job, not only patients but also even many fellow colleagues have false perceptions about this specialty. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of our patients about the peri-operative role of anaesthetist, so that awareness programme may be arranged to educate the public, accordingly in a developing country. Prospective study consisting of preanaesthetic interview and 15 items questionnaire survey in 600 patients, carried out at the Anaesthesia Department, Pakistan Naval Hospital Shifa Karachi, Pakistan, from Jan 2003 to Feb 2004. Their response was recorded as yes, no or not sure. The results were prepared in percentage. Eighty two percent knew that anaesthetist is d qualified doctor but only 40% could anticipate that he is in-charge of operation theatre. Sixty six percent believed that anaesthetist was responsible for peri-operative care but only 34% knew that he also worked in pain clinic. Sixty four percent wanted to know their anaesthetist but only 24% showed personal preference for anaesthetist. Forty percent were afraid of surgery and 60% were afraid of anaesthesia. Sixty percent were afraid of post-operative pain. Sixty percent liked general anaesthesia, if given choice to choose; whereas the remaining 40% liked spinal anaesthesia as first choice. One third of the patients had previous experience of anaesthesia. Majority of our patients knew that anaesthesia is given by qualified doctors and they wanted to know their anaesthetist but very little knew that anaesthetist also had other jabs to do, out side the operation theatre. Although the results have improved as compared to the previous study but still there is need to educate the public regarding anaesthesia.

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