Public Awareness Survey about Anesthesia and Anesthesiologist (A study of 210 cases)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION : Anaesthesiologist has always been a “behind the screen†specialist. Despite its phenomenal
growth in the recent past, there is inadequate public knowledge regarding the speciality as well as the exact role of
anaesthesiologist.
METHOD : The present study was a survey conducted using predesigned questionnaire containingquestions
related to the awareness and knowledge of anaesthesia among patients, under graduate medical students, post
graduate medical students, nursing students and general public.
RESULTS : Only 46% knows that anaesthesiologists are fully trained medical doctors. Only 30% responder knew
that their role is also in I.C.U, 25% knew that their role in pain management. 81.4% afraid of post-operative pain,
45.2% afraid their recovery from anaesthesia. Only 149 responderswereaware about information given in
consent.76.6% responders did not realise that monitoring, pain management and care of haemodynamic could be
under the control of anaesthetists.
CONCLUSION : In conclusion, this study identified deficiencies in patients' knowledge of anaesthesia and the role
of anaesthetists. On-going work is still required in order to better explain the wide scope of this profession to the
public.