European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: To assess the effect of education level and previous anaesthesia exposure on knowledge of anaesthesia and role of anaesthesiologist
Method: 112 patients above the age of 18 years undergoing any elective surgery were enrolled in the study. They were asked to fill out a questionnaire containing questions related to anaesthesia, anaesthesiologists and their concerns and perceptions about risks related to anaesthesia. Each question had multiple choices. The patients were divided into two groups of 56 each i.e. Group A consisted of patients with previous anaesthesia exposure and Group B consisted of patients without previous anaesthesia exposure and data was compared.
Results: Out of all patients who had only a secondary school education or lower, only 38% had knowledge about anaesthesia and were able to correctly answer questions about role of anaesthesiologist and why preanaesthesiacheckup was necessary, whereas 62%  did not know importance of preanaestheticcheckup and role of anaesthesiologist. In patients who had graduate or post graduate level of education, 60% were able to correctly answer questions regarding importance of preanaestheticcheckup and role of anaesthesiologist, whereas 40% answered incorrectly.Of all patients in Group A (Previous anaesthesia exposure), 71% of patients were able to correctly answer questions relating to importance of Preanaestheticcheckup and role of anaesthesiologist, whereas 29% answered incorrectly.In Group B (No previous anaesthesia exposure), only 20% were able to correctly answer questions relating to importance of preanaestheticcheckup and role of anaesthesiologist, whereas 80% answered incorrectly.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that patients who had a higher level of education and/or had previous anaesthesia exposure were more aware of the importance of preanaestheticcheckup and role of anaesthesiologist.