Korean J Anesthesiol.  2012 Mar;62(3):220-224. 10.4097/kjae.2012.62.3.220.

The preanesthetic interview by anesthesiology residents: analysis of time and content

• Kim D
• Lee SN
• Kim DC
• Lee J
• Ko S
• Lee SK
• Son JS

• KMID: 2299346
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2012.62.3.220

Abstract

BACKGROUND
A preanesthetic visit can increase a patient's satisfaction. However, it is uncertain whether a preanesthetic visit by an anesthesiology resident can achieve the goal. We studied the time distribution for content of preanesthetic interviews (PI) and evaluated the patient's satisfaction with the PI.
METHODS
We recorded the PI duration of 200 patients by a voice recorder. The degrees of patient satisfaction with the PI and the changes of anxiety level after the PI were quantified by a questionnaire. We analyzed the time distribution for content of the PI and the correlation between patient characteristics and PI duration or a patient's satisfaction.
RESULTS
The total PI duration was 184 (134-286) sec (median, 25-75%), and the time distributions for content of the PI were 8 (5-10) of greeting, 45 (23-70) of history taking, 15 (10-20) of physical examination, 50 (25-98) for obtainingan informed consent, 20 (10-30) of explanation for anesthetic planning, 15 (5-28) for explanation of patient controlled analgesia, and 10 (0-4) sec for questions and answers. Age, ASA physical status, and educational level were correlated with PI duration (P < 0.001). The patient's level of satisfaction was "very satisfied" in 39%, "satisfied" in 50%, and "moderate" in 11% of interviews. The anxiety level was "decreased" in 50%, "increased" in 8%, and "not changed" in 42% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the duration of a PI given by residents was a relatively short, 89% of patients of were satisfied with the interview. The PI took a longer time to complete in patients of older age, higher ASA physical status, or lower educational levels.

Keyword

Interview; Patient satisfaction; Visit

MeSH Terms

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled
Anesthesiology
Anxiety
Humans
Informed Consent
Patient Satisfaction
Physical Examination
Surveys and Questionnaires
Voice