Patients’ knowledge and perception of anaesthesia and the anaesthetist at a tertiary health care facility in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Anaesthesia has always been misconstrued as a 'behind the scenes' specialty. Despite advancements in anaesthesia, there is inadequate public knowledge regarding the specialty, the scope of the functions of anaesthetists, and the pivotal role anaesthetists play in the healthcare delivery system. This study therefore assessed the knowledge and perception of anaesthesia and the role of anaesthetists among patients in a tertiary healthcare facility. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 3 months in 2015 among 279 patients accessing services at the preanaesthetic clinic of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, their knowledge and perceptions about anaesthesia, and the role of anaesthetists. Results: The majority of patients (62.4%) had heard about anaesthesia. Most (85%) knew that specially trained doctors or nurses were responsible for the delivery of anaesthesia. Nearly half the patients indicated anaesthesia was all about 'putting people to sleep and waking them up' . Less than 15% of patients had knowledge of the role of anaesthetists outside the confines of the operating theatre suites. Conclusion: A considerable number of patients had heard about anaesthesia and knew the people responsible for the delivery of anaesthesia. The perception of most patients is that anaesthesia is all about 'putting patients to sleep and waking them up' . There was poor knowledge of patients regarding the role of anaesthetists beyond the confines of the operating theatre.

Knowledge and attitude towards anesthesia for cesarean section and its associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal care

“…This might be due to that pregnant women who have had previous operation or exposure to anesthesia may spend more effort to get accurate information about it which improves their knowledge level towards anesthesia. However, the nding is in contrary with studies conducted in Ghana (6), Nigeria (8), and India (26) where previous surgery or history of anesthesia had no association with good knowledge of pregnant women's towards anesthesia for CS.…”

“…There are also evidence that revealed participants who were housewife were less knowledgeable about anesthesia technique as compared to the civil servant or working women (13,17). However, this nding was lower than studies conducted in India (89.5%) (12), Pakistan (82.4%)(13), University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria (78%) (15), Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital-Nigeria (65.5%) (16), and Ghana (62.4%) (6). The reason for low prevalence of knowledge in this study might be due to only 20.6% of the study participants were graduated/college and above, while majority of the study participants in studies done in Nigeria (61.4%), India (74.5%), and Pakistan (69%) were graduated.…”

“…Although clients may be willing to be anesthetized, many clients still have concerns regarding anesthesia. Some clients have misconceptions regarding the process and the risks of anesthesia, which in uences their decision and willingness to undergo anesthesia and surgical interventions (6). For instance, many people believe that once the patient is "asleep", the anesthesiologist will leave the room (7).…”

Awareness and concern towards anesthesia among patients undergoing surgical procedure: A cross-sectional study at pre-anesthetic clinic of a Teaching Hospital

“…In most countries, patients generally have meagre awareness regarding the functions or role of anesthetists. Patients' knowledge of the diverse roles of anesthetists, especially those beyond the confines of the operating theatres, is very poor worldwide 17,18 . Fifty nine percent of the patients were not aware about the role of anesthetists' in post-operative management.…”

Survey of Patients’ Attitude About Anaesthesia and Anaesthesiologist- A Preliminary Evaluation in a Rural Hospital of North Bengal

“…However, a recent study observed that 45.5% of patients considered anaesthesia to be mere 'putting people to sleep and waking them up' and about one fifth (~22%) said 'it involves the preoperative evaluation and perioperative management'. 28 In the present survey, in reply to asking 'who would look after in the postoperative period', majority had either no idea (47%) or believed that they will be looked after in the postoperative period by surgeons (34%) compared with anaesthetists (19%). A recent study 29 in a developing country among the paramedical staff reports that 71% respondents knew their anaesthesiologists to perform something and 23% believed that anaesthesiologists would manage pain.…”