Evaluation of patients’ satisfaction with anesthesia in gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in Iran

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess satisfaction level and related factors among patients who had an anesthesia during endoscopic procedures; and also validate a questionnaire for evaluating satisfaction with anesthesia. BACKGROUND: The level of patient satisfaction with GI endoscopic procedure is an important criterion to indicate the level of expertise in endoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective descriptive study at Resalat Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Three hundred seventy nine elective patients undergoing anesthesia for GI endoscopy procedure in 2010 were recruited. A 20-item questionnaire was used to evaluate the satisfaction with the anesthesia. The questionnaire was answered within 72 hours after the procedure. The satisfaction was graded into four major groups: anesthesia delivery, procedural recall, side effects and global satisfaction. RESULTS: The level of satisfaction with anesthesia and its related factors were determined. The mean score of satisfaction with anesthesia delivery, procedural recall, side effects, global satisfaction, and total satisfaction (question 1-16) were 6.15 ± 1.23, 5.65± 1.48, 5.24± 1.16, 5.01± 1.29, and 5.46± 1.14, respectively. There was a significant difference in patients’ satisfaction level between different jobs (p=0.02) as well as different levels of education (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Higher educational level was accompanied with greater satisfaction. The highest satisfaction score was seen among retired patients and the lowest level was found in housekeepers.