Guang Min Yin, Jia Hui Chen, Wei Xu

Department of Anesthesiology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Jia Hui Chen, Department of Anesthesiology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, People’s Republic of China, Email Jiahui_Chen45@163.com

Background: Anesthesia assessment outpatient clinics (AAOCs) can help personalize the anesthesia experience, alleviate anesthesia-related anxiety, and offer health management advice. This study investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of patients from the anesthesia clinic in Jinshan District, Shanghai, China, regarding AAOCs.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 10, 2023, to October 15, 2023, at Jinshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University. The final version of the questionnaire included four dimensions: demographic information, knowledge dimension (seven items, scores 0– 7), attitude dimension (six items, scores 6– 30), and practice dimension (six items, scores 6– 30). The Cronbach’s α was 0.935. The risk factors for the practice dimension were examined through univariable and multivariable logistic regression. The relationships among the KAP dimensions were explored using a structural equation model (SEM).
Results: A total of 531 questionnaires were included for analysis. The mean knowledge score was 5.5± 1.9 (/7 points, 79.0%). The mean attitude score was 26.3± 3.7 (/30, 87.8%). The mean practice score was 25.5± 3.4 (/30, 85.0%). However, still over 10% of participants did not recognize AAOCs’ ability to alleviate anesthesia-related fears and did not believe AAOCs affect future health management. The knowledge scores correlated to the attitude (r=0.401, P< 0.001) and practice (r=0.379, P< 0.001) scores, while the attitude scores correlated to the practice scores (r=0.742, P< 0.001). The SEM showed that knowledge influenced attitude (β=2.409, P< 0.001), while attitude influenced practice (β=0.721, P< 0.001). The attitude scores (OR=2.055, 95% CI: 1.756– 2.404, P< 0.001) and personal/relative/friend experience with AAOCs (OR=2.771, 95% CI: 1.002– 7.664, P=0.050) were independently associated with the practice scores.
Conclusion: Patients in Jinshan District had a good KAP toward AAOCs. Improving knowledge of AAOCs should improve attitudes and the use of AAOCs to improve the patient experience and outcomes of anesthesia.

Keywords: anesthesiologist, patient, knowledge, attitude, practice, cross-sectional study