PERCEPTION OF ANAESTHESIA AND THE ANAESTHETIST AMONG ADULT SURGICAL PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY FACILITY IN NIGERIA.

Authors

  • Olufemi Adebayo Ige
  • Olanrewaju Olubukola Oyedepo
  • Benjamin i Olusom Bolaji
  • Adetayo Michael Adewunmi
  • Opeyemi Olu Abe

Abstract

The scope of anaesthesia has broadened beyond the intraoperative care of surgical patients to include pain management, resuscitation and intensive care. Despite the key role anaesthesia plays in patient management, many misconceptions are still entertained by patients concerning the speciality. This prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, to determine the perception of surgical patients concerning the anaesthetist as a specialist and anaesthesia as a speciality. The hospital is a tertiary, multispecialty health institution located in the north central region of Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered to the patients to assess the patients’ demographic data, type of surgery and the knowledge of the patient concerning the existence of the speciality of anaesthesia. The patients knowledge on the qualification of an anaesthetist and the patient’s ability to recognise an anaesthetist in a picture were also assessed. Only ASA I and II patients scheduled for surgical procedures under general anaesthesia were recruited into the study. Sixty-five percent of respondents had no previous knowledge of anaesthesia before the index admission. One hundred and thirty-three (53.3%) respondents were not able to identify the healthcare personnel that would administer anaesthesia for their surgery. Only 40.6% patients realised that an anaesthetist was a medical doctor while 39.6% patients responded that the anaesthetist was a specialist in his field. Perception of anaesthesia was better of respondents who had been educated to tertiary level and those who had previous knowledge of anaesthesia. We conclude that surgical patients demonstrated inadequate knowledge concerning the field of anaesthesia and the anaesthetist as a specialist.

References

Ademola-Popoola DS, Akande TM, Idris A (2005). Patient’s assessment of quality of eye care in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. The Niger Postgrad Med J. 12:145-8

Adudu OP, Onyeka TC, Kolawole IK, Desalu I, Ekumankama O (2011). Appropriate practice of anesthesia: A plea for better training. Saudi J Anaesth. 5:170-2

Babatunde OA, Aiyenigba E, Awoyemi OA, Akande TM, Musa OI, Salaudeen AG, et al (2013). Primary health care consumers’ perception of quality of care and its determinants in north-central Nigeria. Journal of Asian Scientific Research. 3:775-85

Chew ST, Tan T, Tan SS, Ip-Yam PC (1998). A survey of patients' knowledge of anaesthesia and perioperative care. Singapore Med J. 39:399-402.

Deusch E, Weber T, Libal G, Christian L, Öfner C (1996). Patient knowledge concerning anaesthesia general practice and the responsibilities of the Anaesthesist. Anästhesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther. 31:409-13

Eyelade OR, Akinyemi JO, Adewole IF. Patients’ perception and knowledge of anaesthesia and anaesthetists – a questionnaire survey. S Afr J Anaesthesiol Analg 2010;16(4):28-31

Foulkes-Crabbe DJO. Postgraduate Diploma Programme and Manpower Needs in the West African Sub-region. In: Medical Education in West Africa: Proceedings ofa Symposium. West African Health Community, Lagos, Nigeria. 1995;1:43-46

Hennessy N, Harrison DA, Aitkenhead AR (1993). The effect of the anaesthetist's attire on patient attitudes.The influence of dress on patient perception of the anaesthetist's prestige. Anaesthesia 48:219-22.

Jathar D, Shinde VS, Patel RD, Naik LD (2002). A study of patients’ perception about knowledge of anaesthesia & anaesthesiologist. Indian J. Anaesth.

:26-30

Keulers BJ, Scheltinga MR, Houterman S, Van Der Wilt GJ, Spauwen PH (2008). Surgeons underestimate their patients' desire for preoperative information. World J Surg. 32:964-70.

Khan FA, Hassan S, Zaidi A (1999). Patients view of the anaesthetist in a developing country. J Pak Med Assoc. 49:4-7.

Khan FA, Minai FN, Siddiqui S (2011). Anaesthesia as a career choice in a developing country; effect of clinical clerkship. J Pak Med Assoc. 61:1052-6.

Kindler CH, Harms C, Alber C (2002). The patients' perception of the anaesthetist in a Swiss university hospital. Anaesthesist. 51:890-6

Laffey JG, Coleman M, Boylan JF (2000). Patients' knowledge of perioperative care. Ir J Med Sci.

:113-8.

Leape L (1994). Error in medicine. JAMA.

:1851–7.

Morra DJ, Regehr G, Ginsburg S (2009). Medical students, money, and career selection: students' perception of financial factors and remuneration in family medicine. Fam Med. 41:105-10.

Onotai LO, Ibekwe U (2012). The perception of patients of doctor-patient relationship in otorhinolaryngology clinics of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) Nigeria. Port Harcourt Med J. 6:65-73

SelvaOlid A, Zurro AM, Villa JJ, Hijar AM, Tuduri XM, Puime AO, et al (2012). Medical students perceptions and attitudes about family practice: a qualitative research synthesis. BMC Med Educ.12:81.

Tanser SJ, Birt DJ (2000). Who is watching over me?- was the public's perception of theanaesthetist changed by National Anaesthesia Day? J R Nav Med Serv. 86: 134-41.

Downloads

Issue

Section

Original Articles