Assessing UK patients' knowledge of anaesthetists and anaesthesia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous UK studies found that only 50-67% of patients are aware that anaesthetists are qualified doctors, and public knowledge of anaesthetists' roles was poor. This study aimed to assess patients' knowledge of anaesthetists and anaesthesia, to identify if there has been any improvement over the past two decades. A secondary aim was to determine if exposure to anaesthetists during day case surgery improved patient knowledge.

Methods

This UK-based, single-centre, cross-sectional study included 150 patients attending for day case surgery. Patients were given a questionnaire on their knowledge of anaesthetists and anaesthesia both before and after surgery. Patients were included if they had not yet been pre-assessed by an anaesthetist, if they were over 18 years old

SUBMITTER: Baker OJH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11743334 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature