Public Awareness and Knowledge About Anesthesiology and the Role of Anesthesiologists in Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

IntroductionAnesthesiology is a specialty of medicine that focuses on inducing reversible loss of consciousness, amnesia, muscle relaxation, and analgesia. Anesthesiologists play an important and integral role in pain clinics, operating rooms, and intensive care units (ICU). This study assessed public awareness and knowledge about the specialty of anesthesiology and the role of anesthesiologists in Qassim province, Saudi Arabia. MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in Qassim province from September 2022 to December 2022. A modified electronic questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms. The questionnaire contained items designated as demographics, knowledge, and experience regarding anesthesia and the importance of anesthesiologists. Saudi participants older than 18 years of age were eligible to complete the survey. ResultsOf the 405 participants, 375 met the inclusion criteria (48.5% women and 51.5% men), and participants with an undergraduate education level (23.5%, p<.05) had a higher prevalence of having undergone surgery previously. Furthermore, it was found that factors, such as knowledge about the complications of regional anesthesia (p<.001) positively influenced anesthesia knowledge. Moreover, in a linear regression model, an understanding of the complications of regional anesthesia was associated with increased anesthesia knowledge (p<.05). However, the sample demonstrated a poor level of anesthesia knowledge, evidenced by the responses to questions assessing the same. ConclusionsConsistent with the literature, there was a poor level of anesthesia awareness and knowledge among the adult population living in Saudi Arabia. Further research is needed to establish the link between anesthesia awareness, knowledge about the role of the anesthesiologist, and knowledge about anesthesiology in the region.

Awareness and Attitude Toward Epidural Analgesia During Labor Among Pregnant Women in Taif City: A Hospital-Based Study

“…Moreover, only 5.3% of our study participants had previously been exposed to EA, the lowest rate compared to other Saudi regions where exposure rates ranged from 20.1% to 38.6% [ 10 - 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 ]. Moreover, only 5.3% of our study participants had previously been exposed to EA, the lowest rate compared to other Saudi regions where exposure rates ranged from 20.1% to 38.6% [ 10 - 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 ]. This may reflect the limited availability of EA in local healthcare centers and underscore the need for enhanced awareness.…”

“…This disparity could be due to Taif’s predominantly rural population, where traditional views may prioritize natural over medical approaches, impacting knowledge acquisition about EA. A clear link between knowledge of EA and its utilization has been established [ 10 , 11 , 13 , 16 - 18 ]. Moreover, only 5.3% of our study participants had previously been exposed to EA, the lowest rate compared to other Saudi regions where exposure rates ranged from 20.1% to 38.6% [ 10 - 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 ].…”

“…A clear link between knowledge of EA and its utilization has been established [ 10 , 11 , 13 , 16 - 18 ]. Moreover, only 5.3% of our study participants had previously been exposed to EA, the lowest rate compared to other Saudi regions where exposure rates ranged from 20.1% to 38.6% [ 10 - 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 ]. Moreover, only 5.3% of our study participants had previously been exposed to EA, the lowest rate compared to other Saudi regions where exposure rates ranged from 20.1% to 38.6% [ 10 - 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 ].…”

“…Regarding preferences for EA, 53.3% of participants were considering it for their current pregnancy. This desirability rate for EA indicates some acceptance of the method in Taif, albeit lower than in some regions but higher than in others [ 10 , 12 , 13 ]. Younger women, those with fewer children, and university graduates showed a higher likelihood of choosing EA, contrasting with findings from Al Khobar [ 10 ].…”

Cross sectional study of Twitter (X) use among academic anesthesiology departments in the United States

“…Additionally, there were few tweets describing the services that physician anesthesiologists provide for patients during their surgical experience. The latter is a major opportunity, in our opinion, given that many patients do not understand the role of anesthesiologists in their care [ 24 ]. Most patients have very brief interactions with their anesthesiologist and many do not meet their anesthesiologist or fully understand their role until the day of surgery.…”