The Misunderstood Anesthesiologist: A Prospective Cohort Study Comparing the Effectiveness of Educational Media in Preoperative Assessment Clinics

Patients often lack understanding and insight into the anesthesiologist’s role on their healthcare team. This can lead to negative consequences such as poor patient experience and lack of engagement in healthcare decisions. Additionally, there is a shortage of accessible, and up-to-date educational material dedicated for patients. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different educational materials in improving patients’ knowledge about anesthesiologists. A prospective cohort study was undertaken and recruited over 200 patients from the preoperative assessment clinic (PAC) at Saskatoon City Hospital over a 10-week period. Patients received one of three educational resources—physical pamphlet, video, or website—after their PAC visit. Their knowledge was then assessed using surveys at three time periods: before PAC consult (Survey 1), after PAC consult (Survey 2), and post-op (Survey 3). Early data analysis from survey responses suggests that physical media - the pamphlet – was the most effective resource for educating patients. Ultimately, all educational materials seem to enhance knowledge retention immediately after their PAC consult compared to the control. Furthermore, positive feedback on all educational materials highlights their value in patient education. Future research could explore the effect of educational material on long term retention.