The Impact of Patient Rights Training Workshop on the Awareness of Operating Room Technologists in Birjand, Iran

Background: One of the most important indicators for assessing healthcare quality is evaluating patients’ rights. Lack of awareness about these rights can lead to undesirable consequences, including distrust, dissatisfaction, and decreased quality of care during treatment. Considering that operating room technologists are recognized as advocates for patients’ rights in the operating room, awareness of these rights holds even greater significance for them. Methods: In this research, due to the limited statistical population, census sampling was performed on the operating room technicians of medical teaching hospitals of Birjand University of Medical Sciences, and the patients were selected based on the entry criteria. This study was a single-group educational intervention with a before-and-after design. The research samples consisted of 52 operating room staff (38 technologists and 14 anesthetists), selected through a census method. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire on awareness of patient rights. The data were entered into SPSS 19 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Authenticity of texts, honesty, and integrity were observed throughout all stages of the present study. Results: The paired t-test demonstrated a significant difference between the pre-test (34.2±25) and post-test (73.1±28) scores of awareness regarding patient rights. The results indicated that the highest level of understanding before the intervention was related to item 14 (it is the patient’s right to have only those present in the operating room who are truly necessary during surgery). However, the lowest level of awareness belonged to item 8 (at the request of the patient’s companions, life can be ended for an individual diagnosed with brain death). Additionally, in the post-intervention phase, participants reported the highest correct response rate for item 6 (unnecessary visits to the operating room during spinal anesthesia should be prevented). Conversely, the lowest correct response rate was associated with item 7 (as long as the patient is under the treatment of the attending physician, he/she does not have the right to seek advice from another physician for treatment). Conclusion: According to the findings, the average awareness of operating room personnel regarding patients’ rights was at an appropriate level, and it increased after the educational intervention. Therefore, organizing refresher courses on patients’ rights can enhance clinical staff’s awareness of these issues and improve the quality of care and treatment at the operating room level.