Knowledge, perceptions, and concerns regarding anesthesia and their association with consent hesitancy among preoperative patients in Saudi Arabia: a bicentric cross-sectional study - Report - MDSpire

Knowledge, perceptions, and concerns regarding anesthesia and their association with consent hesitancy among preoperative patients in Saudi Arabia: a bicentric cross-sectional study

  • By

  • Reem Altamimi

  • Ebtesam Almajed

  • Rawan Bin Salamah

  • Reem Alsarhan

  • Ammar Alshaker

  • Adi Alduayji

  • Hala Mandora

  • Reem Aldrees

  • Rama Alkhamis

  • June 30, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Understanding Anesthesia Literacy and Consent Challenges

Overview

This study evaluates anesthesia literacy and consent challenges among preoperative patients in Saudi Arabia. Significant concerns about severe anesthesia-related events and knowledge gaps persist.

Background

Understanding anesthesia is crucial for informed consent and can alleviate preoperative anxiety. Misconceptions about anesthesia risks may lead to increased fear and reluctance to proceed with surgery.

Data Highlights

CharacteristicValue
Participants477
Female Percentage57.4%
Age 18-2553.2%
Trust in Anesthesiologists86.5%
Concern for Severe Events55%-62%

Key Findings

  • 84.5% of participants agreed that anesthesia-related information is crucial for surgical decision-making.
  • Mean concern for severe anesthesia-related events ranged from 3.01 to 3.19.
  • Prior surgery increased awareness of anesthesia-related complications (OR 1.77).
  • Healthcare-provider information significantly improved awareness (OR 1.88).
  • Males had lower odds of awareness compared to females (OR 0.62).

Clinical Implications

Clear communication from healthcare providers is essential for informed consent.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of addressing anesthesia-related concerns and improving patient education.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Parents' knowledge and attitudes toward pediatric concussions in Saudi Arabia
  2. Obesity Surgery, 2025 -- Exploring the Connection Between Surgical Anxiety, Preoperative Fear, and Patient Satisfaction in Bariatric Surgery Tourism
  3. Drugs - Real World Outcomes, 2020 -- Cross-Sectional Analysis of Community-Reported Adverse Drug Reactions in Saudi Arabia
  4. Preoperative Anxiety Levels in Chinese Adults Undergoing Elective Surgical Procedures: A Cross-Sectional Study Across Multiple Centers
  5. Saudi Guidelines for Informed Consent, Saudi Ministry of Health -- الدليل السعودي لإلذن الطبي
  6. Preoperative information as predictor of the patient's fear and anxiety before surgery Systematic review of qualitative and quantitative literature - PubMed
  7. الدليل السعودي لإلذن الطبي
  8. Preoperative information as predictor of the patient's fear and anxiety before surgery Systematic review of qualitative and quantitative literature - PubMed

Original Source(s)

Knowledge, perceptions, and concerns regarding anesthesia and their association with consent hesitancy among preoperative patients in Saudi Arabia: a bicentric cross-sectional study

  • by Reem Altamimi, Ebtesam Almajed, Rawan Bin Salamah, Reem Alsarhan, Ammar Alshaker, Adi Alduayji, Hala Mandora, Reem Aldrees, Rama Alkhamis

  • June 30, 2026

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