Concerns of caregivers of paediatric patients regarding anaesthesia at an academic hospital in Johannesburg

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.