During the last few years, medical education concepts improved immensely to become a science field that utilizes educational and behavioral theories, connection methods, educational means and media principles to improves the individual and social’s medical levels, pointed out by Dr. Maan Kattan, Chairman of Anesthesiology, at King Abdulaziz Medical City– Jeddah. Dr. Kattan also expressed the importance of education in spreading correct health concepts and knowledge among community members as well as enabling them to define their medical problems and needs. He mentioned that the main goal of education is improving health levels of both the individuals and society. He explained that KAMC – Jeddah represented by Anesthesiology Department is planning to hold the first Anesthesia Annual Awareness Campaign “Towards safe Anesthesia” on Thursday, February 18th, 2016 at Red Sea Mall in collaboration with the Saudi Board of Anesthesia. He further explained that anesthesia is an induced, temporary state unconsciousness, relief from or prevention of pain in addition to extreme muscle relaxation. He explain that there are different strategies for Anesthesia:
General Anesthesia (full):
It is the most common type in which the patient is fully unconscious under the supervisions of Anesthesiologist.
Epidural and spinal Anesthesia:
It is the preferable type for surgeries performed in the lower half of the body in which a shot is injected near the spinal cord and the nerves that connect to it.
It is done by injecting local anesthetic around round a specific nerve or group of nerves, blocks are often used for procedures on the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face.
Local anesthesia numbs a small part of the body for minor procedures and one day surgeries.
In addition, Anesthesiology Consultant, Dr. Haifaa explained that the first Anesthesia awareness campaign goals are:
- Provide awareness for society about Anesthesia and its importance in facilitating many surgical and non-surgical operations such as endoscopy and therapeutic and diagnostic radiography.
- Educating society about Anesthesia types, the importance of each type and ways of selecting the appropriate type for each patient.
- Changing some of the misconceptions that result from lack of knowledge or some important details..
- Diffuse some anesthesia related fears.
- The right way of prepping the patient for anesthesia and steps to be followed before anesthesia.
- Spreading awareness of the Epidural amongst pregnant ladies.
Dr. Haifa added that the awareness campaign includes 6 educational stations covering(General anesthesia, Spinal Anesthesia, Anesthesia Clinic, pediatric Anesthesia , -Birth without pain, Pain management). She also explain that one of the highlighted topics would be educating all women about the epidural through “Birth without pain” station. She further explained that the epidural means the use of frequent doses of the local anesthesia which anesthetize the nerves of the uterus. Cases that requires using the epidural are:
- Eclampsia Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Giving birth to twins
- Having a heart disease
- Having diseases related to the brain and blood vessels
- Dead fetus inside the mother's womb
The doctor pointed that there are points need to be highlighted regarding Anesthesia in order to prep the patient, such as:
- Stop smoking for a long period of time before the surgery.
- Keep using some prescribed medications until the surgery day such as medications for diabetes and blood presser and stop using others for several days such as blood thinners.
It is worth mentioning that the activities will be accompanied by organizing an awareness day at KAMC - Jeddah Outpatient clinics on the 28th of February 2016, with the participation of many internal sections and departments from the Ministry of National Guards - Health Affaires – western region and others.