Beyond general anaesthesia: developing a novel health psychology intervention to promote awake surgery uptake.
Awake surgery, a method of administering regional anaesthesia instead of general anaesthesia for specific surgical procedures has significant benefits for patients, doctors, and the general health system. However, patient endorsement of this method remains resolutely low. Major barriers to uptake include limited patient knowledge and anaesthesia anxieties. This study aims to use health psychology and behaviour change techniques to improve community anaesthesia knowledge and promote health literacy about the benefits of awake surgery, resulting in better physical and mental health outcomes.
Study I: This study will conduct a four round Delphi consensus project among healthcare professionals, behaviour change experts and patients to map out an intervention framework to promote awake surgery acceptance. This bottom-up approach allows for a co-creation intervention by patients and healthcare professionals to best address patient needs.
Study II: A packaged intervention, likely including detailed leaflets and pre-surgical videos educating patients about anaesthesia options will be developed. A feasibility trial will be conducted to access particulars of a clinical trial.
Study III: A parallel design two-arm randomised control trial will be conducted to assess the impact of the intervention, post-intervention confidence and awake surgery uptake changes.
To promote long-term positive individual and societal outcomes within the community of people needing surgical treatment, this project will have a direct impact on the well-being of patients, improve resource allocation within the healthcare system and reduce operative costs for the NHS.