An educational tool to improve patient perceptions on the roles of an anesthesiologist and the importance of pre-anesthetic evaluation: A quality initiative study

摘要

Background: Thereisa huge deficit in patient knowledgeabout roles played by an anesthesiologistand about therelevance ofa proper preanestheticevaluation. This study attempted to evaluateif quality improvementstrategiescould improveit during the preanesthesiaclinic(PAC) visit. Materials andMethods: The Plan, Do, Study, Actcycle model of quality control projects was implemented by a prospectiveaudit using a questionnaire,conducted in 170 patients scheduled forelectivesurgeries in the PAC ofatertiary care hospital, to assess knowledgelevelsabout therelevance ofPAC and roles oftheanesthesiologist. Educationaltoolsconsisting of postersand information on ascreen displayed in the PAC waiting area were designed. Anotheraudit in consecutive 170 patients wasconducted to assess ifeducationaltools improved the patient's knowledge,and iffactors such as patient's gender, language,educationallevel,and previousanestheticexposure had any impact on knowledge levels. Results: Theinitialaudit demonstrated a knowledge deficitabout preanesthesiacheckupsand about theroles oftheanesthesiologist. Quality improvementsteps weretaken,and educationaltools implemented. Knowledgescores improved from44.54 ± 17.45 to 52.12 ± 18.8 (P 0.001,confidenceinterval?11.45–?3.69). Male gender, highereducationallevels,and knowledge ofthe English language wereassociated with higher knowledgelevelsafter theintervention. Conclusion: Waiting timeat PAC can be utilized to educate patientsabout therelevance of preanesthesiacheckup and about various roles oftheanesthesiologist bymeans of postersand information on a display screen.