Concerns of caregivers of paediatric patients regarding anaesthesia at an academic hospital in Johannesburg
Date
2016
Authors
Yogeswaran, Janani Ayshwaryah
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Abstract
Studies show that anxious children experience negative post-operative outcomes, and that
anxiety in parents, leads to anxiety in children. Addressing issues related to caregiver
anxiety in the peri-operative period may be beneficial in reducing anxiety in paediatric
surgical patients, thereby potentially avoiding a host of undesirable outcomes.
The concerns of caregivers’ of paediatric patients presenting for surgical procedures at Chris
Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) were not known. Gaining insight into
caregiver’s concerns, and what they fear about anaesthesia, allows us to address these
concerns in a constructive manner, and thus improve the quality of the experience.
This study explored the concerns of caregivers of paediatric patients presenting for surgery,
in an attempt to alleviate these concerns, and thus reduce anxiety.
This qualitative, explorative research project was conducted amongst caregivers of
paediatric patients presenting for surgery at CHBAH. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews
were conducted until data saturation occurred (n = 20). The interviews were audio –
recorded, and then transcribed verbatim, after which thematic analysis was used to analyse
the data.
Major concerns identified included a fear of death, pain and surgical and anaesthetic
complications. The fear of death was influenced by factors including personal and
community experiences, media influences and the perceived risk of surgery.
The findings of this study show that a singular event can be experienced, and thus
interpreted, differently by different individuals. This ‘Weltanshauung’ (world view) needs to
be borne in mind by anaesthetists when interacting with caregivers prior to surgery, in order
to deliver holistic care of the highest quality.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Medicine, in the branch of Anaesthesiology
Johannesburg, 2016