Patient's Attitude towards Resident Involvement in the Surgical Management of Cataract in a Teaching Hospital in Dakshina Kannada- A Prospective Study
NC01-NC04
Correspondence
Dr. Chaithanya Blevender Singh,
Department of Ophthalmology, Yenepoya Medical College, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
E-mail: sheetalsavur@gmail.com
Introduction: Cataract surgery is one of the most frequent surgeries performed by the ophthalmologist. Surgical teaching can be in conflict between the doctor-patient contract. However good surgeons evolve only after being imparted with adequate surgical skill through hands on surgical training. Scarce data is available in India regarding the patient perception of resident involvement in cataract surgery.
Aim: To evaluate the patient attitude regarding the involvement of residents in their cataract surgery in a teaching hospital.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on patients undergoing elective cataract surgery in a teaching hospital. The questionnaire was administered to 140 consenting patients from September 2013 to January 2016. Ten questionnaires were incomplete. Hence, 130 questionnaires were used for analysis. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data and nine questions including multiple choice questions and likert-type 5 point responses which primarily intended to find out their awareness regarding the involvement, qualification and attitude of patients towards involvement of residents in the surgical management with and without prior permission. Responses of patients were graded using a 5-point Likert-type scale. The data was analysed using SPSS-version 19 and descriptive statistics mainly in the form of percentages was used.
Results: The results revealed that 60 (46%) agreed that being a patient in a teaching hospital implied that trainee eye specialists will be involved in all aspects of management. The number of participants who were unlikely to seek treatment elsewhere even if they found out that a postgraduate was likely to assist or perform the surgery was 50 (38.4%). A large number of them 50 (38.4%) felt that it was very important to be asked permission in advance before a postgraduate performed or assisted in cataract surgery. If they found that resident had performed the whole surgery on them without prior permission 40 (30.7%) would not be upset at all.
Conclusion: Most of the patients seeking treatment in a teaching hospital were aware of the fact that postgraduate residents play a role in the surgical management. Few would be upset if they hadn’t been informed regarding the same. However, many patients preferred to be informed regarding the involvement of residents during their surgery