Anesthesiologist: the patient's perception

Anesthesia is still a major concern for patients, although the anesthetic complications have decreased significantly. Additionally, the role assigned to the anesthesiologist remains inaccurate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concerns with anesthesia and assess the patient's knowledge about the anesthesiologist's duties.

Prospective study conducted over three months with patients in the preoperative anesthetic visit in a university hospital. Demographic information about the level of education and prior anesthesia was obtained. The knowledge of patients regarding the anesthesiologists' education was evaluated. Patients' concerns and anesthesiologist and surgeon responsibilities were classified with a 5-point scale. The analysis was performed with SPSS 21, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

We included 204 patients, and 135 (66.2%) recognized the anesthesiologist as a specialist physician. Not waking up after surgery and postoperative infection were the main concerns compared to all others (p<0.05). Women expressed more concern than men about not waking up after surgery, nausea and postoperative vomiting, medical problems, and waking up during surgery (p<0.05). Ensure that patients do not wake up during surgery was the anesthesiologist task most recognized, compared to all other (p<0.05). The surgeon was more recognized (p<0.05) than the anesthesiologist in post-operative, antibiotics administration, and blood transfusions pain management.

Patients need to be informed about the current safety of anesthesia and the anesthesiologist's functions. The patient involvement will demystify some fears and reassure the confidence in the health system.