Do Healthcare Workers Differ in their Attitude to Post-Operative Symptom
Control?
Dr C. Murphy MB, Dr C. Hearty MB, Dr K. Hogan FCARSI, Dr M. Murray FFARCSI,
Dr C. McCaul FFARCSI.
Department of Anaesthesia, Regional Hospital, ARdekken, Waterford, Ireland.

BACKGROUND AND GOAL OF STUDY
Intra-operative and post-operative adverse outcomes have been identified as the major causes of dissatisfaction with anesthesia.1 The aim of this study was to identify preferences amongst health care providers for post-operative anaesthesia outcomes in our population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
50 healthcare personnel involved in peri-operative care in a regional hospital were asked to prioritize 11 possible anesthesia outcomes using a relative value scale (willingness to pay out of a total of 100 Eurodollars). Outcomes were: Nausea, Vomiting, Disorientation, Thirst, Shivering, Sore Throat, Pain, Drowsiness, Sensation of Breathing Tube, Itch and Full Bladder.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
30 physicians (15 anesthesiologists, 15 surgeons) and 20 registered nurses responded (10 P.A.C.U. staff, 10 O.R. staff). The response rate was 100%. Priority ranking for symptoms were: Pain>Nausea>Vomiting>Sensation of breathing tube in all groups. There were no differences between physicians and nurses. Anesthesiologists were willing to pay more for control of nausea than surgeons. These data vary are different to those obtained in studies in the US and Canada.

CONCLUSION(S)
There is broad correlation between physicians and nurses in terms of prioritized symptoms control after anaesthesia and surgery. Pain control has the highest priority for all groups. Anesthesiologists place greater emphasis on peri-operative emesis control than surgeons.
Table: Willingness to pay

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