Patients' knowledge of anaesthetic practice and the rôle of anaesthetists.

Patients were questioned pre-operatively to assess the level of their knowledge with regard to anaesthetic qualifications, anaesthesia and the role of anaesthetists. Thirty-five percent did not realise that anaesthetists were qualified doctors and only 25% could mention any duties that anaesthetists might have outside the operating theatre. However, those questioned were better informed about the anaesthetist's role in monitoring the patient during surgery and recovery.