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A patient information booklet about anesthesiology improves preoperative patient education

[Une brochure d’information destinée aux patients au sujet de l’anesthésiologie améliore leurs connaissances préopératoires]

From the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Address correspondence to: Dr. B.A. Finegan, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, 8-120 Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada. Phone: 780-407-8887; Fax: 780-407-3200; E-mail: chassist{at}ualberta.ca

Purpose: Preadmission clinics provide a limited timeframe in which patients can discuss the risks and benefits of various forms of anesthesia. We hypothesized that the provision of a patient information booklet would clarify and reinforce salient perioperative topics related to anesthesia.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out in two phases. In Phase I, anesthesiologists were surveyed to determine the key topics routinely discussed during a preadmission clinic visit. Subsequently, we developed an illustrated booklet highlighting some of the topics identified during the survey. In Phase II, the booklet was evaluated by a questionnaire designed to assess patient knowledge about perioperative issues. This questionnaire was administered to a control group of patients who did not receive the booklet and a study group who received the booklet. Statistical significance was established at P < 0.05.

Results: In Phase I, 65 anesthesiologists completed the survey of their current practice in the preadmission clinic. The survey revealed no uniformity in overall information provision, but indicated that certain issues were routinely discussed with patients. In Phase II, 322 patients were enrolled. Patients in the study groups scored significantly higher on the knowledge assessment questionnaire than did patients in the control group. Both education and country of origin influenced the scores of patients in the control group, but not in the study group.

Conclusion: A simple, illustrated patient information booklet, when appropriately written and illustrated, is an effective means of standardizing the communication of the risks and benefits of anesthesia in a preadmission clinic. A booklet with a focus on plain language usage and simple illustrations appears to be an advantageous educational tool even in culturally diverse populations.