Abstract
Series of studies have shown that regional anesthesia offers many advantages to the patient care compared to general anesthesia, and the patient has the right to participate in the type of anesthesia techniques planned. Contrastingly, the practice of regional anesthesia in Ethiopia is underutilized and the patient choice of regional blocks limited. The aim of this study was to assess both the extent of practice and need for training in regional anesthesia among anesthetists practicing in Ethiopian public hospital. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted for 28 days from November 5, 2014 to December 2, 2014. An online survey questionnaire was circulated to one hundred and five anesthetists currently involved in clinical service in the country. Questions concerned on the extent of practice, barrier to perform and need for training workshops. Among one hundred and five anesthesia providers that participated in the survey, 61% of anesthetists are practicing regional anesthesia mainly in the operation theatre while 39% had never utilized any type of blocks and only 25.7% used nerve stimulation guidance, while the use of ultrasound or x-ray was zero percent. Of surgical procedures performed under different type of regional anesthesia within the past 2 months by respondent, orthopedic procedures accounts 56 (53.33%) while utilization of regional anesthesia for labour pain was almost nil. 18.1% anesthetists reported they were satisfied with the quality of education received from their education source. Academic qualification of the anesthetists (P = 0.01058), and years of experience of the anesthetists in the field of anesthesia (P < 0.00672) have shown a significant association at P < 0.05. The practice of regional anesthesia in the Ethiopia could be improved, with continuous supply of resource (regional kits and medication) and conduction of workshops in the field of regional anesthesia with special reference to nerve stimulator and ultrasound regional anesthesia blockade techniques. Key words: Regional anesthesia, post-operative pain, peripheral nerve block, Ethiopia.
Highlights
Regional anesthesia offers many advantages to the patient care compared to general anesthesia
The availability of a designated area to perform the regional anesthesia namely “the block room” will expedite the flow of the operating room and reduce the delay which may happen while performing regional anesthesia blocks and enhance residents teaching (Martin et al, 2002)
Armstrong and his colleagues reported that brachial plexus block when performed in the block room can significantly reduce the total anesthesia time when compared to brachial plexus performed in the operating room (Armstrong and Cherry, 2004)
Summary
Regional anesthesia offers many advantages to the patient care compared to general anesthesia It provides an excellent post-operative analgesia; it reduces the stress response, post-operative cognitive dysfunction, and duration of hospital stay. A survey of the Canadian orthopedics on 768 questionnaire revealed that only 40% directed their patients to regional anesthesia (Oldman et al, 2004) Those that are in favor of regional anesthesia thought regional anesthesia resulted in less postoperative nausea and vomiting and good pain control postoperative. Those who are not in favor of regional anesthesia thought it results in delay of the operating room time and unpredictable success with possible conversion to general anesthesia In such situations, the availability of a designated area to perform the regional anesthesia namely “the block room” will expedite the flow of the operating room and reduce the delay which may happen while performing regional anesthesia blocks and enhance residents teaching (Martin et al, 2002). Despite considerable progress and technological advances over the past two decades in regional anesthesia, many developing countries like
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