A short preanesthetic interview aimed at addressing psychological stress over surgery can improve patient satisfaction, according to a study reported in Anesthesiology News.
The interview method is known as BATHE: Background, Affect, Trouble, Handling and Empathy. Findings from the study on BATHE were presented by Samuel DeMaria Jr., MD, an instructor in anesthesiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, at the 2010 PostGraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology.
Dr. DeMaria and his colleagues taught five senior anesthesia residents the BATHE methods. The residents then interviewed 50 patients using the method and 50 without; half the patients were scheduled for general surgery and the other half were scheduled for cardiac surgery.
All patients responded to a survey to assess their experience in Mount Sinai's preanesthetic clinic. Patients in the BATHE group reported being asked questions about their mood, feelings on the impending surgery and their response to any concerns. Scores for patient satisfaction were somewhat higher in the BATHE group.
Patients in the BATHE group rated the friendliness and courtesy of their physician higher and said their physician showed greater concern for their worries. BATHE patients were also more satisfied with the amount of time their physician spent with them, even though amount of time spent with patients did not differ between the two groups.
Read the Anesthesiology News report on the BATHE method.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
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The interview method is known as BATHE: Background, Affect, Trouble, Handling and Empathy. Findings from the study on BATHE were presented by Samuel DeMaria Jr., MD, an instructor in anesthesiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, at the 2010 PostGraduate Assembly in Anesthesiology.
Dr. DeMaria and his colleagues taught five senior anesthesia residents the BATHE methods. The residents then interviewed 50 patients using the method and 50 without; half the patients were scheduled for general surgery and the other half were scheduled for cardiac surgery.
All patients responded to a survey to assess their experience in Mount Sinai's preanesthetic clinic. Patients in the BATHE group reported being asked questions about their mood, feelings on the impending surgery and their response to any concerns. Scores for patient satisfaction were somewhat higher in the BATHE group.
Patients in the BATHE group rated the friendliness and courtesy of their physician higher and said their physician showed greater concern for their worries. BATHE patients were also more satisfied with the amount of time their physician spent with them, even though amount of time spent with patients did not differ between the two groups.
Read the Anesthesiology News report on the BATHE method.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Monitored Anesthesia Care Accounts for High Percentage of Ambulatory Anesthetics
Study: Anesthesia Could Accelerate Alzheimer's
Dr. Bruce Nicholson Presents Four Strategies to Tackle Post-Op Pain