Lavado JS, Gonçalves D, Gonçalves L, Sendino C, Valente E. General or regional? Exploring patients' anaesthetic preferences and perception of regional anaesthesia.
ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019;
66:199-205. [PMID:
30635114 DOI:
10.1016/j.redar.2018.12.004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
Regional anaesthesia (RA) has gained popularity due to its numerous benefits and increasing safety. Yet, often patients refuse this procedure and prefer general anaesthesia (GA). This study aimed to investigate variables (demographic factors, safety perception of GA and RA, patients' fears, anxiety, and knowledge) related to patients' anaesthetic preference.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Participants were patients aged 18 years or more proposed to an anaesthesia appointment for preoperative assessment. Patients completed a written questionnaire before meeting the anaesthesiologist. The questionnaire asked about their preferences, fears and perceptions about RA.
RESULTS
One hundred and 2patients agreed to participate. Mean age was 52.6±13.5 years, 57.8% were female and 44.5% had at least 12 years of education. Given the choice, 54.0% would prefer GA and 20.7% said they would refuse RA if proposed by the anaesthesiologist. Among patients who already experienced neuroaxial anaesthesia, 40.0% said they did not wish to repeat it. Patients who preferred GA over RA perceived GA to be safer than RA and expressed more anxiety towards being awake during surgery and more fear of feeling pain during surgery, of having back pain, and of needle puncture. Results also suggested that patients are unaware of RA's real risks and benefits.
CONCLUSIONS
Knowing patients' fears is essential for the anaesthesiologist address their patients' needs. Anaesthesiologists should work on improving general population perspective and knowledge about RA.
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