Patient perception of monetary value to avoiding unpleasant side effects of anesthesia and surgery

Abstract

Study objectives: To determine which monetary value patients place on decreasing or eliminating common side effects of anesthesia and surgery.

Design: Prospective questionnaire with visual analog scales.

Setting: Preoperative holding area of a tertiary care hospital.

Patients: 60 adult patients scheduled for general anesthesia.

Interventions: None.

Measurements: Patients' perception of problems with previous general anesthetics and surgery and their concerns about the approaching surgery and anesthesia were recorded. Amounts (in US Dollars) that patients would be willing to pay to decrease by half or to eliminate nausea, emesis, sore throat, headache, and pain were also noted.

Results: 95% of the patients had previously undergone a general anesthetic, most without any problems. However, 47% of patients reported at least one problem with a previous general anesthetic, 33% had one or more concerns with the upcoming general anesthetic, and 32% would be willing to pay to decrease or eliminate one or more of these side effects. Patients who were willing to pay were more likely to have had problems or have concerns about side effects.

Conclusions: Some patients would be willing to pay extra to avoid unpleasant side effects. This information can be used in quality and satisfaction surveys to justify to hospitals and payors the use of higher quality but more expensive anesthetic drugs.