Children’s general anaesthesia – parental preferences and information needs

Abstract

Introduction The aim of this mixed methods study was to provide insight into the information needs of parents whose child received dental treatment under general anaesthesia. Methods The parents of 102 out of 113 children attending their dental general anaesthesia (DGA) appointment completed an interviewer-led questionnaire. Forty of these parents were followed up by telephone at least one week after their child’s DGA. Results The research revealed new insights into unmet information needs from the parents’ perspective (eg needing more information relating to food, ward waiting times, clothing, parking and regular medications) as well as identifying a need for more child centred resources. Parental preferences on the format of information delivery (eg via a mobile phone app, website or email) and timing of information delivery (eg giving pre and postoperative instructions at the assessment appointment) were also identified. Conclusions Seeking the views of parents highlighted the gap between clinicians’ perceptions of families’ DGA information needs and their actual need. The findings from this study will have implications for improving DGA information resources for both parents and children.