LEVEL OF AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION ABOUT ANAESTHESIA AND PRE-ANAESTHETIC CHECK-UP AMONG SURGICAL PATIENTS IN SMHS HOSPITAL WHICH IS A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: The role of anaesthesiology and anaesthesiologists has traditionally been viewed as behind the screen specialty, and it is only in the last few decades, this specialty has grown beyond the four walls of the operation theatre and the role of anaesthesiologists is being increasingly appreciated in pain clinic, labor analgesia, accident and emergency, and in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Aim: To assess inpatients presenting for elective surgery to our tertiary care hospital in order to see the levels of awareness about speciality of anaesthesia and preanaesthetic checkup in patients presenting for elective surgery to our Tertiary Care Hospital.
Methods:The current study was conducted in a Government Medical college Srinagar Tertiary Care Hospital, a profile of 500 patients were analysed to assess the knowledge about anaesthesia among the patients scheduled for surgery. Patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery in the age group of 18-90 years, who were willing to participate and given written informed consent.
Results: Eighty one percent of the patients were literate and 19 % illiterate, among literate upto SSC 37.2%, upto HSC 19.4 % , graduate 23 % , Post graduate 1.4% .Although 35% had Previous Exposure to surgery but overall their awareness about anaesthesia speciality was poor. Majority of the patients (75.20%) were from rural areas as compared to the urban areas (24.80%). Only 22% of cases correctly identify the anaesthetist as the person who will resuscitate the patient if a disaster occurs in the operating room. majority of the respondents (62.60%) said that preanesthesia check up was done by the Doctor in the PAC clinic then followed by patients(26.40%) said that PAC was done by nurse/technician and followed by (11.00%) patients who did not know about the PAC.
Conclusion: According to the available statistics, the specialities of anaesthesiologists have not done enough to educate patients in particular and the general public, about the job of anaesthesiologists. To eliminate the poor understanding of general public about the role of anaesthesiologists, efforts must be taken to educate and raise awareness among the population. Patients continue to be poorly informed about anaesthesia services and the function of anaesthesiologists