Awareness about anaesthesia among paramedical students

 Corresponding author: Malini Nagarajan Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0. Awareness about anaesthesia among paramedical students Malini Nagarajan 1, *, Sivaranjani Murugan 1, Janani Nandan 1, Manipriya P 2 and Mubeena KF 2 1 Lecturer, Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, India. 2 Lecturer, physiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, India. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(03), 034–039 Publication history: Received on 11 April 2025; revised on 29 May 2025; accepted on 01 June 2025 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2025.22.3.0553 Abstract Background: Anaesthesia plays a crucial role in pain relieving during the surgery, so understanding of anaesthesia is essential for effective patient care. Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the awareness about anaesthesia among paramedical students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire among paramedical students. The questionnaire assessed their knowledge about anaesthesia, its types, anaesthesia administration and complications. Result: Among 300 paramedical students 112 were male and 188 were female. In operation theatre and anaesthesia technology students 92.2% were aware and 7.8% were not aware about anaesthesia. 81.9% of students were aware and 18.1% were not aware about anaesthesia in cardiac perfusion technology, optometry and radiology and imaging technology departments. Conclusion: This study shows that operation theatre and anaesthesia technology students have more awareness about anaesthesia compared to other paramedical students, so incorporating comprehensive anaesthesia education into paramedical curricula and providing clinical exposure can improve the awareness of students. Keywords: Anaesthesia; Paramedical; Healthcare; Awareness; Attitude. 1. Introduction Anaesthesia plays a crucial role in modern healthcare, ensuring patient comfort and safety during surgery and diagnostic procedures. As a frontline healthcare providers, paramedical students play a vital role in the perioperative environment, often assisting anaesthesiologists and other medical professions. For paramedical students understanding the principles, techniques and implications of anaesthesia is essential for supporting healthcare settings (1,2). However, the depth of anaesthesia related education and training among paramedical students can vary significantly across institutions leading to gaps in their knowledge and practice. This article aims to highlight the importance of comprehensive anaesthesia education among the paramedical students to equip their skills. In this study we have focused on assessing the awareness of anaesthesia among paramedical students. 2. Methodology This study employs the cross sectional questionnaire among paramedical students in ACS medical college and hospital, chennai. The study group includes under graduate students of Operation theatre and anaesthesia technology, Cardiac perfusion technology, Optometry and Radiology and imaging technology. This study was conducted after obtaining the World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(03), 034–039 35 institutional ethics committee approval. Self-administered questionnaire with questions related to knowledge and safety protocol regarding anaesthesia. Participants involved in this study were completely anonymous and their participation was left to their choice. The structure question consists of the following information: gender, age, course and knowledge toward anaesthesia. 3. Results Table 1 The total number of responses based on gender Gender Count Percentage MALE 112 37% FEMALE 188 63% Table 2 The response of individuals according to their age group Age group No. Of. People Percentage 18 63 21% 19 48 16% 20 104 34.7% 21 74 24.7% 22 11 3.7% Table 3 The response of paramedical students according to their course Course Count Percentage OT AND AT 142 47.3% CPT 59 19.7% RADIOLOGY AND IMAGING TECHNIQUE 55 18.3% OPTOMETRY 44 14.7% Table 4 The response who had previous knowledge about anaesthesia in paramedical students Questions Previous knowledge about anaesthesia (n=187) No previous knowledge about anaesthesia (n=113) BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT ANAESTHESIA 71% 29% GENERAL ANAESTHESIA 51% 49% REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA 65% 35% World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(03), 034–039 36 Table 5 The knowledge of students in response to Questionnaire S.no Area of knowledge Respondents Percentage 1 Have you ever heard about anaesthesia? Yes 286 95.3% No 14 4.7% 2 Who will give the anaesthesia to the patient? Surgeon 10 3.3% Anaesthetist 277 92.3% Nurse 8 2.7% Don’t know 5 1.7% 3 Is Anaesthesia is given to all patients in same way? Yes 22 7.3% No 258 86% 4 Is Anaesthetist a qualified doctor? Yes 232 77.3% No 50 16.7% Don’t know 5 Whether the solid food is stopped before anaesthesia (or) not? Both solid and liquid food stopped 216 72% Only liquid food is stopped 19 6.3% Food is eaten little by little 36 12% No need to stop any food 29 9.7% 6 Do you know is there any different types of anaesthesia for different surgeries? Yes 263 87.7% No 37 12.3% 7 What are the anaesthesia do you know? Anaesthesia 41 13.7% Regional anaesthesia 19 6.3% Local anaesthesia 12 4% Don’t know 228 76% 8 Why will determine whether the patient is fit for anaesthesia (or) not? Surgeon 19 6.3% Doctor specialized in anaesthesia 254 84.7% Nurse 6 2% Don’t know 21 7% 9 Who will decide whether the patient can eat before the surgery (or) not? Surgeon 60 20% World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(03), 034–039 37 Doctor specialized in anaesthesia 196 65.3% Nurse 16 5.3% Don’t know 28 9.3% 10 What are the fears related to anaesthesia? Not to sleep completely 145 48.3% Feeling pain 76 25.3% Being awake 79 26.3% 11 During General anaesthesia? They breadth as usual 68 22.7% Breathe through hose connected to ventilator 182 60.7% Not breathing 11 3.7% Don’t know 39 13% 12 After intervention of anaesthesia? Attention may be diminished during first hour 120 40% Attention will not be affected by anaesthesia 62 20.7% Attention can be reduced to several days 21 7% Don’t know 97 32.3% 13 Are you aware of general anaesthesia drugs used in present days? If yes which of the following? Chloroform 33 11% Ether 10 3.3% Intravenous agents 75 25% Other inhalational agents 98 32.7% Don’t know 84 28% 14 How general anaesthesia is administered by anaesthetic? Using certain vaporizers 48 16% Using certain equipment 42 14% Using vaporizers and equipped with monitoring 166 55.3% Don’t know 44 14.7% 15 How do you think patient will be anaesthetized? Only injection at site 109 36.3% Gases administered through anaesthesia machine 180 60% Gases administered with kerchief 11 3.7% 16 According to you which anaesthetic is better? General anaesthesia 140 46.7% Regional anaesthesia 66 22% Local anaesthesia 56 18.7% Don’t know 38 12.7% World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(03), 034–039 38 Table 6 The overall level of knowledge of individuals Level of knowledge Count Percentage ADEQUATE 104 69% INADEQUATE 46 31% This study shows that 92.2% of students were aware about anaesthesia and 7.8% were unaware of anaesthesia in Operation theatre and anaesthesia technology. 81.9% were aware and 18.1% were not aware about anaesthesia in other paramedical students of Cardiac perfusion technology, Optometry and Radiology and imaging technology. 4. Discussion In this study we have evaluated the awareness about anaesthesia among paramedical students. Anaesthesia is a foundation of modern medicine, enabling complex surgical and diagnostic procedures by ensuring patient comfort and safety (9,15). For paramedical students, understanding anaesthesia is important, as they play pivotal role in perioperative care, assisting anesthesiologists. In this study we have focused on the anaesthesia awareness among paramedical students, which includes undergraduate Operation theatre and anaesthesia technology with Cardiac perfusion technology, Radiology & imaging technology and Optometry. Paramedical students, as future anaesthesia technicians, operating room assistants or critical care staff, are integral to the anaesthesia team. Their responsibility includes preparation, such as ensuring anaesthesia equipment, patient monitoring (observing vital signs), patient support and emergence response. In this study we have included 300 paramedical students. Among the respondents, 92.2% Operation theatre and anaesthesia technology participants had awareness about anaesthesia and 7.8% were not aware of anaesthesia. In Cardiac perfusion technology, Optometry and Radiology & imaging technology participants, 81.9% were aware about anaesthesia and 18.1% were not aware about anaesthesia. We have used descriptive statistics to express count (N) and percentage for every variable. 5. Conclusion In this study we concluded that undergraduate Operation theatre and anaesthesia technology students have more awareness about anaesthesia compared with other paramedical students which includes Cardiac perfusion technology, Optometry, Radiology and Imaging technology. The awareness about anaesthesia among paramedical students is vital for preparing them to be component, compassionate ad vigilant members of healthcare team. Education institutions and health care facilities must prioritize comprehensive training program, workshops, to equip paramedical students with knowledge and skills. Compliance with ethical standards Disclosure of conflict of interest No conflict of interest to be disclosed. Statement of ethical approval This study was conducted after obtaining the institutional ethics committee approval. Statement of informed consent Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. References [1] Sagün, A., Birbiçer, H., & Yapici, G. (2013). Patients’, who applied to the anesthesia clinic, perceptions and knowledge about anesthesia in Türkiye. Saudi Journal of anaesthesia, 7(2), 170-174. [2] Bhandary, A., Pallath, N. M., Ramakrishna, M., & Shetty, S. R. (2016). A survey on patients’ awareness about anesthesia and anesthesiologist. Indian Journal of Clinical Anaesthesia, 3(2), 196-206. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2025, 22(03), 034–039 39 [3] Osinaike, B. B., Dairo, M. D., Oyebamiji, E. O., Odesanya, J. O., & Tanimowo, A. (2007). Attitude of general public to risks associated with anaesthesia. [4] Khara, B. N., Rupera, K. B., Gondalia, K. R., & Kamat, H. V. (2013). Knowledge about anesthesia and perception about anesthesiologists among patients at a rural tertiary care hospital: A cross sectional survey. Age, 30(68), 227. [5] Craig, T. J. (2013). Knowledge related to anaesthesia among laypeople. British journal of anaesthesia, 111(6), 1027-1029. [6] Nagrampa, D., Bazargan-Hejazi, S., Neelakanta, G., Mojtahedzadeh, M., Law, A., & Miller, M. (2015). A survey of anesthesiologists’ role, trust in anesthesiologists, and knowledge and fears about anesthesia among predominantly Hispanic patients from an inner-city county preoperative anesthesia clinic. Journal of clinical anesthesia, 27(2), 97-104. [7] Onutu, A. H., Rus, C., & Acalovschi, I. (2017). The public perception of the anaesthesiologist in Romania: a survey. Romanian journal of anaesthesia and intensive care, 24(1), 21. [8] MA, H. (1994). Patient knowledge of anaesthesia and peri-operative care. Anaesthesia, 49, 715-718. [9] Kadri, I. A., Haider, G., Memon, I., & Memon, W. (2014). Awareness of patients regarding anesthesia;: Attitude towards basic types of anesthesia techniques. The Professional Medical Journal, 21(04), 782-787. [10] Irwin, M. G., Fung, S. K. Y., & Tivey, S. (1998). Patients' knowledge of and attitudes towards anaesthesia and anaethetists in Hong Kong. [11] Jathar, D., Shinde, V. S., Patel, R. D., & Naik, L. D. (2002). A STUDY OF PATIENTS'PERCEPTION ABOUT KNOWLEDGE OF ANAESTHESIA & ANAESTHESIOLOGIST. Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, 46(1), 26-30. [12] Khan, F. A., Hassan, S., & Zaidi, A. (1999). Patients view of the anaesthetist in a developing country. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 49(1), 4-7. [13] Kindler, C. H., Harms, C., & Alber, C. J. D. A. (2002). The patients' perception of the anaesthetist in a Swiss university hospital: Eine Untersuchung aus Patientensicht in einem Schweizer Universitätsspital. Der Anaesthesist, 51, 890-896. [14] Dodds, C., Kumar, C. M., & Servin, F. (2016). Anaesthesia for the elderly patient. Oxford University Press. [15] Endalew, M., Endalew, N., Agegnehu, A., Mekonnen, Z., & Teshome, D. (2022). Knowledge and attitude towards anesthesia for cesarean section and its associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care: A cross sectional study. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 75, 103299. [16] Naod, B., Admasu, W., & Ahmed, Y. (2016). Patients’ knowledge and attitude towards anesthesia in Tikur Anbesa specialized hospital. Int J Anesth Res, 4(5), 229-235. [17] Bheemanna, N. K., Channaiah, S. R. D., Gowda, P. K., Shanmugham, V. H., & Chanappa, N. M. (2017). Fears and perceptions associated with regional anesthesia: a study from a tertiary care hospital in South India. Anesthesia Essays and Researches, 11(2), 483-488. [18] Matthey, P., Finucane, B. T., & Finegan, B. A. (2001). The attitude of the general public towards preoperative assessment and risks associated with general anesthesia. Canadian Journal of anaesthesia, 48, 333-339. [19] Taneja, R., Kumar, A., & Sood, S. (2017). A study of patient’s perception about pre anaesthesia clinic in a tertiary care hospital of a developing country. J. Evid. Based Med. Healthc, 4(56), 3416-3420. [20] Djagbletey, R., Aryee, G., Essuman, R., Ganu, V., Darkwa, E. O., Ahiaku, F., & Yawson, A. (2017). Patients’ knowledge and perception of anaesthesia and the anaesthetist at a tertiary health care facility in Ghana. Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 23(1), 18-23.