Anaesthetists’ knowledge and awareness of diathermy use in a department of anaesthesiology

Abstract

Background: Anaesthetists are expected to have a basic understanding of diathermy use. The aim of this study is to evaluate anaesthetists’ knowledge and awareness of diathermy use in the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Methods: A prospective, descriptive and contextual study was conducted utilising an anonymous self-administered questionnaire distributed to anaesthetists during academic meetings, and convenience sampling was used. A minimum sample size of 96 anaesthetists was estimated. Using the modified Angoff Method, a score of 62% was determined for adequate knowledge.
Results: One hundred and one questionnaires met the criteria for analysis. The overall mean score obtained for knowledge was 44.7%; 47.7% for junior anaesthetists versus 42.7% for senior anaesthetists (p = 0.20). The total number of anaesthetists achieving an adequate score was 13 (12.9%). Of those, 10 (76.9%) were junior anaesthetists with a mean score of 71.0%, and 3 (23.1%) were senior anaesthetists with a mean score of 67.0% (p = 0.72). There was no significant difference in the knowledge between anaesthetists with Fellowship of the College of Anaesthesia Part 1 examinations and those without (p = 0.34). In a comparison of knowledge between junior and senior anaesthetists, junior anaesthetists scored significantly better in the category of precautions and appropriate use (p = 0.02).
Conclusion: The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) anaesthetists demonstrated poor overall knowledge of diathermy. While anaesthetists do not apply diathermy pads or use diathermy themselves, they are responsible for patients’ safety in the operating theatre and diathermy may interfere with anaesthetic equipment or patient devices.
Contribution: This study investigated anaesthetists’ knowledge and awareness pertaining to diathermy use in the operating theatre. It has highlighted the need for ongoing education pertaining to diathermy safety for anaesthetists.