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Patient Opinions and Side Effects Before and After General Anesthesia for Surgery
Mohammad Usman1, Austin Huang2, Laurence Stolzenberg3
1Psychiatry, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, USA.
Cureus
|March 11, 2024
Summary
Anxiety about general anesthesia is common, but patient experiences show it significantly decreases after surgery. Sharing experiences and therapy animals could further reduce patient anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Patient Experience
- Public Health
Background:
- Surgical and anesthetic procedures are increasing globally.
- Research on anesthesia largely overlooks the patient perspective.
- Understanding patient views is crucial for improving care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore public opinions and experiences with general anesthesia.
- To assess changes in patient perception after undergoing anesthesia.
- To identify factors influencing patient comfort and anxiety.
Main Methods:
- An online anonymous survey using Qualtrics.
- Exploratory research design to gather public opinions.
- Data collection on patient experiences and perceptions of anesthesia.
Main Results:
- Significant pre-procedure anxiety regarding general anesthesia was reported.
- Most patients experienced a substantial decrease in anxiety post-procedure.
- Peer-to-peer discussions and potential therapy animal presence were identified as comforting factors.
Conclusions:
- Patient-centered research on anesthesia is warranted.
- Interventions like shared experiences and therapy animals may alleviate anxiety.
- Findings can inform future research and surgical practice improvements.
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