Decision aids, in the form of informational brochures, help get patients engaged in their anesthesia care and pain relief options, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2015 annual meeting.
Here are six notes:
1. In the study, 67 patients undergoing surgery with regional anesthesia were given brochures during a pre-anesthesia clinic evaluation.
2. The brochures explained the different types of anesthesia, risks and benefits and also included space for questions and notes.
3. Another 59 similar patients were not given decision aids.
4. Researchers found that 64 percent of patients who received brochures discussed regional anesthesia with clinic staff compared to 49 percent of those who did not get an aid.
5. Patients who received a brochure were more likely to discuss their anesthesia choices.
6. Despite the fact that the brochures included risk information, it did not increase anxiety and uncertainty in the group who received them.