A CME was organised on Sunday by the Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Pain Management Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College on "Public awareness regarding Anesthesia and Anesthesiologist".
The programme started with recitation from the Holy Quran followed by welcome address by Dr Nighat Abbas, Head Department of Anesthesiology. Dr Salman Faridi, Medical Director Liaquat National Hospital in his address appreciated the efforts of the Anesthesiology, Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Pain Management Department for arranging such an informative session.
He stressed the need and importance of conducting such academic activities, which not only create awareness amongst the general public but also among clinicians.
Dr Nighat Abbas spoke on "Life is precious; know your Anesthetist". She emphasised on Anesthesiologist role in patient management. Present day Anesthesiology is based on the use of newer, short acting and safer drugs, better patient monitoring, pain management and critical care but the general public knows little of these developments. The specialty of Anesthesia has seen rapid development of its scientific and clinical basis and equally rapid changes in clinical practice.
Patients with chronic medical conditions increase the risks of Anesthesia and surgery. Advancement in modern anesthesia practice now allow patients in high risk categories to undergo major operations with much less risk of serious consequences.
The electronic and print media has a tremendous potential to educate the general population, but this potential has always been under-utilised. If the patients have beforehand knowledge through audio-visual or print media about anaesthesiology then they may have an option to enquire and choose their anaesthesiologist so that a less qualified person won't be involved in the practice of anaesthesiology.
Educating the physicians or surgeons regarding our discipline may improve the knowledge that the patients get from them regarding our role in patient management. In the end she emphasised the need to reform the existing medical curriculum in terms of increasing the hours of anaesthesiology teaching and compulsory internship posting in anaesthesiology.
Dr Muhammad Sirajuddin delivered presentation on "Anesthesia Errors and Prevention - Safe Practice". He said that modern anesthesia is safe and routine practice. The safety of Anesthesia has improved over the years. Anesthesia errors are rare in these days. He insisted to do safe anesthesia practice and refer your patients to those places where qualified anesthetist and adequate facilities are available. He further emphasised that Anesthesia errors can be prevented by following international guidelines, good design of anesthesia equipment, proper handling of anaesthetic drugs, education, training, good judgement and vigilance.
Dr Ghulam Murtaza talked of the role of anesthetist in management of pain during labour and delivery and the use of Epidural analgesia technique, which is the most effective means of pain management in current use. He highlighted the safe conduct of this technique, its associated side effects and complications, mostly manageable, and emphasised the need for general population to understand that this technique is safe for both the mother and the baby and is not associated with increased risk of cesarean delivery.
In the end there was a Panel discussion. Team of panellist comprised Professor Akhtar Waheed Khan (SIUT), Professor Tipu Sultan (BUMDC) and Professor Ursula Chohan from AKUH, Dr Nighat Abbas LNHMC, Dr Muhammad Sirajuddin LNHMC and Dr Ghulam Murtaza LNHMC. There was healthy interactive discussion between the doctors and huge audience, which comprised doctors, medical students, paramedical staff and general public their concerns regarding anaesthesia were discussed. It was demanded by the audience to arrange such informative programmes in the future.
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