title: Patient's knowledge and perception of preanesthesia check-up in rural India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preanesthesia assessment is an important aspect of patient care. If a patient shows lack of interest during preanesthesia check-up or tries to rush through, it may result in incomplete history and general physical examination, compromising patient care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of patients presenting for elective surgery to Tertiary Care Hospital in Rural India regarding value and importance of preanesthesia check-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational study was conducted in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Rural India. 1000 patients posted for elective surgery coming to preadmission anesthesia consultation (PAC) clinic over a period of 3 months were included in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were asked to fill a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions before start of preanesthesia assessment. Each question was provided with multiple possible choices, out of which patient had to choose the most appropriate according to him/her. Scoring was done, with each question answered correctly being given 1 mark while incorrect answer was awarded 0 marks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were expressed as frequencies and percentage. Correlations studies were performed by unpaired t-test and one-way analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 27.4% of patients knew that they had come to PAC clinic for preanesthesia assessment, the rest were not clear. Similarly, only 18.1% knew that only anesthesiologist can perform a preanesthesia examination. 16.5% patients said that they would discuss their fears or queries regarding anesthesia in PAC clinic while 58.6% said that they would share such feelings with the surgeon in ward.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients had insufficient knowledge about preanesthesia assessment and its role in improving the outcome of surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, BPS Government Medical College, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singla
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, BPS Government Medical College, Sonipat, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Mishu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mangla
keywords: Patient's knowledge; preanesthesia check-up; questionnaire