Patient Perception on the Role of Anesthesiologists

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Previous studies showed that the role of the anesthesiologist, their education and role within the hospital is not known by the general public. The lack of knowledge about anesthesia can be an important factor in patients' fear before the planned surgery and can therefore impact patient's general satisfaction. By means of a survey in patients planned for elective surgery, the investigators want to investigate the perception of patients regarding the anesthesiologist, their education and role within the hospital, the general knowledge of the patient regarding anesthesia and possible pre-operative fears and concerns.

Detailed Description
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Introduction: Previous studies, mainly performed in the USA and a few in Europe, showed that the role of the anesthesiologist, their education and role within the hospital is not known by the general public (1). Other studies questioned the expectations as well as fear of patients with respect to anesthesia (2). The lack of knowledge about the anesthesia can be an important factor in patients' fear before the planned surgery and can therefore impact patient's general satisfaction. While studies have been performed in several countries, not a single study as far as the investigators know, has been performed in Belgium. Given the fact that the anesthesiologist plays an important role during all stages of surgery (pre-, per-, post-operative), it is important to know how patients experience anesthesia and the role of the anesthesiologist. In this way, possible points of attention can be explored which can lead to a better patient satisfaction in the future. Outcome measures: With this study, the investigators want to investigate the perception of patients regarding the anesthesiologist, their education and role within the hospital, the general knowledge of the patient regarding anesthesia and possible pre-operative fears and concerns. The investigators will determine these outcome measures by performing a survey (standardized questions) which will investigate the following 8 parts: Patient demographics The perception of the role and educational training of the anesthesiologist The role of the anesthesiologist in the hospital General knowledge of anesthesia Trust in medical specialist and anesthesiologist Fear and concerns about anesthesia Patients' expectation regarding recovery and postoperative pain Information for the anesthesiologist and possible points of improvement Design: In this monocentric, investigator-initiated, observational, cohort-study, the investigators will perform a survey in all patients that are planned to undergo elective surgery, both ambulatory as well as inpatient surgery. This study will be performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki and will be approved by the Ethical Committee of the Jessa Hospital before the start of the study. A written informed consent will be obtained before participation in the study. Study Procedures: Patients that are planned for elective surgery, both ambulatory and inpatient surgery, will be contacted by a researcher prior to the surgery and asked to participate in the study. After a written informed consent is obtained, the survey will be performed by a single researcher, to minimize inter-individual variability. During the survey, family or other people present in the hospital room are not allowed to help the patient. In hospital rooms where more than 1 patient is present, the survey will be performed only once. Statistical analysis: Based on previous, comparable studies (1,3,4), 350 patients will be included in this study. Descriptive statistics will be presented as frequencies and percentages of the total amount of patients for categorical variables, while numerical variables will be presented as mean ± SD. Multiple linear regression analysis and correlations will be calculated (depending on normality). A p-value <0.05 is considered statistical significant, while p<0.10 is considered a tendency.

Official Title
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Patient Perception on the Role of Anesthesiologists: a Survey on the Belgian Perspective

Conditions
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Anesthesia, Surgery

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Survey


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Males and females ≥ 18 years of age American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status classification: 1-3 Patients planned to undergo surgery (both ambulatory and inpatient surgery) Patients that speak Dutch, French or English Exclusion Criteria: Patients that don't speak Dutch, French or English

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: Survey|Survey in patients from the Jessa Hospital that are planned for elective surgery, both ambulatory and inpatient.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The role and educational training of the anesthesiologist | The patients' perception of the work and educational training of the anesthesiologist | max 1 hour per survey | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patient demographics | Gender, age, highest education level, nationality, language, medical condition | max 1 hour per survey | 
| The role of the anesthesiologist in the hospital | The patients' perception of the workplace of an anesthesiologist in the hospital | max 1 hour per survey | 
| General knowledge of anesthesia | The patients' perception of anesthesia in general | max 1 hour per survey | 
| Trust in medical specialist and anesthesiologist | The patients' trust in the medical specialist and anesthesiologist | max 1 hour per survey | 
| Fear and concerns about anesthesia | The patients' fear and concerns before the surgery | max 1 hour per survey | 
| Recovery and postoperative pain | Several questions regarding the patients' expectation of recovery and postoperative pain | max 1 hour per survey | 
| Information for the anesthesiologist and possible points of improvement | Possible points of improvement for the anesthesiologist | max 1 hour per survey | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Survey, Anesthesia, Anesthesiologist, Patient perspective