Anaesthesia information - What patients want to know

Abstract

We developed and introduced into clinical practice a leaflet to improve the delivery of information to patients before obtaining their consent to anaesthesia. The amount of information needs to be what a 'reasonable' patient thinks appropriate; therefore we tested patients' responses to three levels of information: 'full' disclosure, 'standard' disclosure (as contained in our leaflet) and 'minimal' disclosure. Forty-five patients scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery were enrolled in the study. None of the information sheets caused a significant change in state anxiety score and only the 'full' disclosure significantly increased knowledge about anaesthesia (P = 0.016). All leaflets were easy to understand. When only one leaflet was provided 64-73% of patients thought the content was 'just right', whereas when all three leaflets were viewed together; 63% of patients thought the 'minimal' leaflet withheld too much information.