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Patients’ preference for general or regional anaesthesia for caesarean deliveries at a district hospital, Free State, South Africa

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J Hanekom, R Hattingh, W Nel, K Thirion, C Willemse, G Joubert, C Boltman, J Botes

Abstract


Background. Informing patients about available anaesthesia options allows patients to share in decision-making. 

Objectives. To determine the preference for general or regional anaesthesia among patients admitted for elective caesarean delivery at a district hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and whether the patients were informed about their anaesthesia options by their doctor. 

Methods. Consecutive sampling was used. Patients ≥18 years old and who had had a caesarean delivery under general or regional anaesthesia participated in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which was completed during formal interviews with patients. 

Results. Of the 50 patients interviewed, 30 (60.0%) preferred regional anaesthesia. With regard to the current surgery, 58.0% stated that they were informed of the available anaesthesia options. 

Conclusion. The majority of the patients in our study preferred regional anaesthesia. Although only 58.0% reported that they received information, many of those valued the doctor’s opinion in their choice of anaesthesia.


Authors' affiliations

J Hanekom, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

R Hattingh, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

W Nel, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

K Thirion, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

C Willemse, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

G Joubert, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

C Boltman, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

J Botes, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

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Keywords

general anaesthesia; regional anaesthesia; caesarean delivery; patient preferences; communication

Cite this article

South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2019;25(2):32-34. DOI:10.7196/sajog.1444

Article History

Date submitted: 2019-01-21
Date published: 2019-11-06

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