A Survey on Awareness about the Role of Anesthesiologists and Anesthesia Given Among General Public and Medical under Graduates
A Survey on Awareness about the Role of Anesthesiologists and Anesthesia
Keywords:
Anesthesia, Anesthesiologist, awareness, general public, medical undergraduatesAbstract
Background: Present day anesthesiology is based on the use of newer and safer drugs, better patient monitoring, pain management and critical care. But the general public as well as medical under graduates know little of these developments. Aims: To assess the level of awareness of anesthesia and anesthesiologists among general public of different academic status and medical undergraduates. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted on 360 persons divided into 2 groups (persons coming to our college and hospital and medical undergraduates) of age 18-65 years to assess the knowledge regarding anesthesiology and the anesthesiologists. All collected data was categorized into 3 subgroups each in two groups. Perception of anesthesiologist as a separate faculty increased from matriculation and below, graduate and postgraduate population which was 23.3%, 48.7% and 86.7% respectively, whereas in medical undergraduates it increased from I , II to III MBBS which was 46.7 %,53.3% and 93.3% respectively .Altogether 23 questions were asked in a questionnaire and compared in two groups. Statistical analysis was done by calculating percentages using Chi2 test. Results: Reflects the wide spread ignorance and misconceptions about anesthesiology and anesthesiologists which still prevails in public in India. Conclusions: There should be involvement of electronic and print media in educating general population, irrespective of their educational status; Anesthesiologists need to spend more time during PAE with their patients explaining in detail their roles peri-operatively, techniques, complications, risks and consent. The existing medical curriculum should be reformed in terms of increasing weightage of Anesthesia subject in exams.
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