#270 From Fears to Facts: Empowering Patients Before Surgery

What happens when we truly listen to patients' fears about anesthesia? The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) discovered something remarkable: despite the wealth of medical information available, patients' most pressing questions about anesthesia remained largely unanswered in accessible language.This episode delves into the groundbreaking work of the APSF Patient Engagement Workgroup, featuring insights from Maria Van Pelt. We explore how this initiative transformed patient concerns into actionable resources through methodical research, including comprehensive surveys and in-depth interviews. The resulting Patient Guide to Anesthesia and Surgery addresses common questions like "What if I don't wake up from anesthesia?" and "Are there long-term side effects?"—questions that anesthesia professionals hear regularly but that patients struggle to find answers to online.Since its October 2023 launch, the Patient Guide has become one of APSF's most visited resources, attracting over 10,000 visitors monthly. This success demonstrates the critical need for patient-centered information that bridges the gap between medical expertise and patient understanding. As Van Pelt powerfully states, "Our goal is to create a culture where patients' voices are not just heard, but actively sought out and valued as essential components of safe care." Discover how this resource is changing the conversation around anesthesia safety and why patient engagement isn't just beneficial—it's essential for optimal outcomes. Visit APSF.org today to explore the Patient Guide and share this valuable resource with your patients and colleagues.For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/270-from-fears-to-facts-empowering-patients-before-surgery/© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation