Someone Watching Over You

Thirty-six per cent of the British public do not believe that anaesthetists are medically qualified doctors, according to a survey by MORI. The findings, just announced, confirm to the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA) that public perception of the wide ranging and highly skilled specialty of anaesthesia is poor.

The MORI survey also showed that there was confusion amongst the general public about the specialist training of anaesthetists.

The College today is launching plans for an annual National Anaesthesia Day, the first of which will be held on 25 May 2000 in hospitals across the UK. The aim of National Anaesthesia Day is to improve public awareness of modern anaesthesia and anaesthetists, who are the largest single medical specialty in National Health Service hospitals.

Professor Leo Strunin, President of the RCA, explains: "For some time, our Fellows and members have been concerned at the lack of public understanding of our role. It is disturbing that a third of our potential patients do not think we are doctors. Our response is to demonstrate the range and importance of our specialty via National Anaesthesia Day". He points out that it is to the patient's advantage and sense of well being that they have confidence in their anaesthetist's advice, skills and treatment.

HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the RCA, said today: "I welcome National Anaesthesia Day as an opportunity for us all to learn more about the role of today's anaesthetist. After all, almost all of us as patients will benefit form an anaesthetic at some time in our lives. Nowadays, anaesthetists' skills are also in the front-line of trauma care and resuscitation, intensive care and pain management".

The Secretary of State for Health, The Rt Hon Mr Alan Milburn commented: "I am delighted to support the Day. It is unlikely that the public fully appreciates that the RCA represents our largest hospital specialty. Anaesthetists are crucial partners in surgical and medical teams, and the old image we have of the anaesthetist as the "gas man" has been largely shed as their work has extended beyond the operating theatre, into intensive care and chronic pain".

Dr John Goldstone, Chairman of the National Anaesthesia Day Working Party explains: "Our initial target for participation in the first year was 100 hospitals but such is the enthusiasm form anaesthetic departments that many more will take part".

On National Anaesthesia Day 25 May 2000, anaesthetists and staff will hold hospital exhibitions, demonstrate life-saving equipment, and distribute information about anaesthesia to the general public.

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 2092 adults aged 15+ in 156 sampling points throughout Great Britain. Fieldwork was conducted from 6 to 10 January 2000. All interviews were conducted face-to-face in-home using CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing). A "split sample" was used whereby approximately half the respondents were asked one question, and the other half were asked a three-part question. This was to prevent bias. Data have been weighted to the known profile of the British population.