Knowledge About Anesthesia Among Patients and Attendants Visiting Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, Western Regional Hospital for Pre-Anesthesia Checkup.

Abstract

Background:- Anesthesiologist plays a major role in operation theatre, intensive care unit, resuscitation and pain management. Though many patients are unaware of importance regarding anesthesiologist and anesthesia pre and intraoperative period. This present study was conducted to know the knowledge of patients regarding anesthesia and anesthesiologist. \

Materials and Methods:- The present study was a cross sectional study which conducted using the predesigned questionnaire to assess the Knowledge about anesthesiologist and anesthesia in patients and attendants attending for Preanesthetic checkup at outpatient clinic (PAC- OPD) of Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences after taking voluntary informed consent.

Result:- Of 76 participants, only 59.2% were aware that an anesthesiologist is a doctor. About 43.4% of participants said that pre anesthesia checkup is necessary if surgery is to be performed under anesthesia 2.6% of participants said it is not necessary whereas 53.9% doesn’t have an idea regarding this.62% participants know smoking or alcohol intake habit increase the risk of anesthesia. And 56.6% participants said hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, bronchial asthma increase the risk of anesthesia. About 52.6% of our participants had good knowledge (score of ≥5)

Conclusion:- This study concludes that patients have inadequate knowledge regarding the importance of Pre-Anesthesia checkup, anesthetist role during surgery. Hence it is important to know anesthesiologists besides the surgeon should have a critical role in treatment of patients. pre anesthesia checkup before the surgery would certainly help to reduce knowledge regarding the importance of anesthesia and anesthetist’s role during surgery and post op period.