Abstract
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 atP < 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.
Résumé
Objectif
Les cliniques de préadmission permettent un temps limité pour discuter avec les patients des risques et des bienfaits des diverses formes d’anesthésie. Nous avons émis l’hypothèse qu’en fournissant aux patients une brochure d’information, cela clarifierait et renforcerait la compréhension des thèmes périopératoires fondamentaux relatifs à l’anesthésie.
Méthode
Une étude prospective a été menée en deux phases. Durant la phase I, les anesthésiologistes ont été interrogés afin de déterminer les thèmes clés régulièrement discutés lors d’une visite en clinique de préadmission. Par la suite, nous avons conçu une brochure illustrée mettant en évidence certains des thèmes identifiés pendant le sondage. Durant la phase II, la brochure a été jugée sur la base d’un questionnaire visant à évaluer les connaissances des patients au sujet des questions périopératoires. Ce questionnaire a été distribué à un groupe témoin de patients n’ayant pas lu la brochure et à un groupe d’étude qui l’a reçue. La signification statistique a été fixée à P < 0,05.
Résultats
Durant la phase I, 65 anesthésiologistes ont répondu au sondage sur leur pratique actuelle en clinique de préadmission. L’étude n’a pas révélé d’uniformité dans la distribution d’informations dans son ensemble, mais a indiqué que certaines questions étaient régulièrement abordées avec les patients. La phase II de l’étude a impliqué 322 patients. Les patients du groupe d’étude ont affiché des résultats nettement plus élevés dans le questionnaire d’évaluation des connaissances que le groupe témoin. Le niveau d’éducation et le pays d’origine ont tous deux influencé les résultats des patients du groupe témoin, mais pas ceux du groupe d’étude.
Conclusion
Une brochure d’information simple destinée aux patients, si elle est bien écrite et illustrée, devient un moyen efficace de standardiser la communication, en clinique de préadmission, des risques et bienfaits liés à l’anesthésie. Une brochure utilisant un langage clair et des images simples semble constituer un outil éducationnel avantageux même auprès de populations multiculturelles.
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Cheung, A., Finegan, B.A., Torok-Both, C. et al. A patient information booklet about anesthesiology improves preoperative patient education. Can J Anesth 54, 355–360 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03022657
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03022657