title: Patient knowledge of anaesthesia and peri-operative care.
abstract: One hundred and sixty six patients were questioned by means of a multiple choice questionnaire, to determine their knowledge of peri-operative care, anaesthesia and the rôle of anaesthetists. In general, knowledge was good, but there were some important misconceptions; in particular, 28.3% of respondents thought that fasting referred to food only, and not to fluid intake. In addition, 47.6% of respondents considered pain to be a necessary part of the healing process and 38.6% believed that it was something that just had to be endured. When forthcoming anaesthesia is discussed, anaesthetists need to ascertain that patients really do understand the language used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthetics, Western Infirmary, Glasgow.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hume
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Asbury
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010819:Physician's Role; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic