Attitudes towards parental presence at induction of anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the attitudes of South African anaesthetists with regard to allowing parents to be present during the induction of anaesthesia in children, and to determine the source and extent of resistance to this controversial practice.

DESIGN

Questionnaire survey consisting of three parts and based on a previous study.

SETTING

Southern Africa.

PARTICIPANTS

All practising anaesthetists, specialist and non-specialist, on the mailing list of a major pharmaceutical company.

RESULTS

Responses were obtained from 222 anaesthetists from 80 different localities in southern Africa. The majority of the respondents were specialist anaesthetists in private practice with between 5 and 15 years' experience. Of the respondents 55% agreed that it was acceptable to allow parents to be present at induction and that this did not compromise the child's safety; 117 claimed that there was resistance to the practice, perceiving the matron and nursing staff as the major source of resistance, both currently and in the past. Lack of facilities and loss of operating theatre sterility were cited as the main reasons for resistance.

CONCLUSION

Although the practice is still controversial, the majority of anaesthetists who responded to the survey would be happy to allow parents to accompany children at induction. It should be catered for and encouraged according to certain guidelines.