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[Can we change the patient's image of the anesthesiologist?]
M J García-Sánchez1, M Prieto-Cuéllar, J R Galdo-Abadín
1Servicio de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Ciudad Sanitaria Virgen de las Nieves, Granada.
Objective:
To determine whether provision of an information sheet during the preanesthesia visit to the patient, and general recommendations for anesthesia, can change patients' image of the anesthesiologist.
Patients And Methods:
Two groups of 100 patients each were studied before outpatient surgery. Group 1 (given no information) answered a questionnaire before an interview with the anesthesiologist. Group 2 (who were given information) answered the same questionnaire, which was accompanied by an information sheet explaining the nature of anesthesia, possible risks, operating room and postoperative procedures.
Results:
In group 1,67% identified the anesthesiologist as a physician. In group 2, 99% (p < 0.05) were able to do so. In group 1, 48% believed that the anesthesiologist works under the surgeon's orders, while only 27% (p < 0.05) thought so in group 2. The chief of the postanesthesia intensive care unit was thought to be a member of the nursing staff by 48% in group 1, whereas 95% (p < 0.05) in group 2 identified the chief as an anesthesiologist.
Conclusions:
The image of anesthesiology and the anesthesiologist can be improved by systematically providing an information sheet to patients who are scheduled for presurgical study.