Public Awareness and Knowledge About Anesthesiology and the Role of Anesthesiologists in Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia

Introduction Anesthesiology is a specialty of medicine that focuses on inducing reversible loss of consciousness, amnesia, muscle relaxation, and analgesia. Anesthesiologists play an important and integral role in pain clinics, operating rooms, and intensive care units (ICU). This study assessed public awareness and knowledge about the specialty of anesthesiology and the role of anesthesiologists in Qassim province, Saudi Arabia. Methods An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in Qassim province from September 2022 to December 2022. A modified electronic questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms. The questionnaire contained items designated as demographics, knowledge, and experience regarding anesthesia and the importance of anesthesiologists. Saudi participants older than 18 years of age were eligible to complete the survey. Results Of the 405 participants, 375 met the inclusion criteria (48.5% women and 51.5% men), and participants with an undergraduate education level (23.5%, p<.05) had a higher prevalence of having undergone surgery previously. Furthermore, it was found that factors, such as knowledge about the complications of regional anesthesia (p<.001) positively influenced anesthesia knowledge. Moreover, in a linear regression model, an understanding of the complications of regional anesthesia was associated with increased anesthesia knowledge (p<.05). However, the sample demonstrated a poor level of anesthesia knowledge, evidenced by the responses to questions assessing the same. Conclusions Consistent with the literature, there was a poor level of anesthesia awareness and knowledge among the adult population living in Saudi Arabia. Further research is needed to establish the link between anesthesia awareness, knowledge about the role of the anesthesiologist, and knowledge about anesthesiology in the region.