AWARENESS OF SURGICAL PROCEDURES IN SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Abstract

Objective: To check the awareness of surgical procedures in the soldiers and their families

Study Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Lahore Pakistan, from Aug 2016 to Mar 2017.

Methodology: Patients were selected purposely from different wards. A questionnaire was devised and it was circulated among the house officers who got them filled during their ward rounds by interviewing the patients. Inclusive criteria included the Patient who were pre-operative, who were on elective operation list.

Results: Mean age of the patient was 50.5 ± 10 years. Patients ranged from 18 to 84 years. Majority of the patients were uneducated. Mean duration of the stay of the patient at the hospital was 8.5 ± 2 days. 28.5% of the patients did not about the disease. 36.5% of the patients did not know the name of the surgeon who was operating. 46.5% of the patients did not know the specialty of the surgeon. 46.5% of the patients did know the surgical intervention required. 49% of the patients were not told about the surgical intervention required. 84% of the patients did not know the complications of the surgery. Despite all, 97.5% of the patients were satisfied with the care given to them.

Conclusion: The patients were not adequately aware of the information that they need to have for the operation they were being operated. It is the right of the patient to know benefits and risks of the treatment he or she is going to get.