Abstract Aim: To determine the informational needs of preoperative patients being attended at the Otorhinolaryngology Service of the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza of Lima, Peru. Methods: Using cross-sectional descriptive research, 127 surgical patients from the Otorhinolaryngology Service were studied. A questionnaire asked what information and knowledge the patients had when exercising their right to decide surgery. It contained questions concerning the description of the surgical technique, complications, and risks involved in the surgery. A non probability sample by convenience was used and the data analysis was performed with the SPSS statistical package in version 25 and the chisquare test was used to evaluate the correlation between variables. Results: 127 patients participated, more than 75% of patients wanted to know more information about their disease and the surgical treatment, 90% stated that they needed an explanation of how the surgery would be performed, 85% wanted to know the common complications, and 20% wanted to ignore the possibility of death. Young adults and the group with higher education demanded more information (p<0.05). Concerning sex, there were no differences between the men and women in their answers other than the females needing to know the risk of death due to surgery (p<0.05). Conclusions: Most patients need detailed information during the preoperative evaluation, especially young adults and those with higher education. Physicians should provide sufficient, clear information with realistic expectations, respecting the patient's autonomy in decision-making.

Resumen Objetivo: determinar las necesidades de información en el preoperatorio de los pacientes atendidos en el servicio de otorrinolaringología del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza de Lima, Perú. Métodos: investigación de tipo descriptiva y de corte transversal. Se estudiaron 127 pacientes quirúrgicos del servicio de otorrinolaringología. Se utilizó un cuestionario de demandas de información y conocimiento de los pacientes en cuanto a su derecho de decidir una cirugía; contiene preguntas referentes a la descripción de la técnica quirúrgica, complicaciones y riesgos que conlleva la cirugía. Se utilizó una muestra no probabilística por conveniencia, así como el análisis de los datos, el cual se realizó con el paquete estadístico SPSS en versión 25. Para evaluar la correlación entre variables se empleó la prueba chi-cuadrado. Resultados: participaron 127 pacientes, más de 75% de ellos deseaban conocer más información sobre su enfermedad y el tratamiento quirúrgico, 90% manifestaron el deseo de tener una explicación de cómo se realizará la cirugía, 85% necesitaban conocer las complicaciones frecuentes, 20% deseaba ignorar la información sobre posibilidad de muerte. Los adultos jóvenes y el grupo con educación superior demandaban más información (p<0.05), no presentaron diferencias respecto al sexo, salvo en la necesidad de conocer el riesgo de muerte a causa de la cirugía, a favor del sexo femenino (p<0,05). Conclusiones: la mayoría de los pacientes necesitan una información detallada durante la evaluación preoperatoria, principalmente en los grupos de adultos jóvenes y con educación superior. Los médicos debemos brindar información suficiente, clara y con expectativas reales, respetando la autonomía del paciente en la toma de decisiones.

Resumo Objetivo Identificar as barreiras para oferecer às mulheres e capacitar adequadamente os médicos sobre abortos terapêuticos nos hospitais públicos do Peru. Métodos Estudo descritivo transversal baseado em inquérito. Convidamos 400 especialistas em obstetrícia e ginecologia de 7 hospitais públicos acadêmicos de Lima e 8 de outras regiões do Peru. Juízes especialistas validaram a pesquisa. Resultados Coletamos os resultados da pesquisa de 160 participantes que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Destes, 63,7% afirmaram que o hospital onde trabalham não oferece treinamento sobre aborto. A maioria dos participantes considera que a posição do governo peruano em relação ao aborto terapêutico é indiferente ou deficiente. As principais limitações para fornecer abortos terapêuticos incluem a lei peruana (53,8%), políticas hospitalares (18,8%) e falta de especialistas (10,6%). Conclusão A maioria dos médicos pesquisados apoiava o aborto terapêutico e demonstrava interesse em aprimorar suas habilidades. No entanto, nem todos os hospitais oferecem treinamento e educação. O conhecimento limitado dos médicos sobre a lei e as políticas institucionais, além do medo de repercussões éticas, legais e religiosas, foram as principais barreiras para a realização do aborto.

Abstract Objective To identify the barriers to provide to women and adequately train physicians on therapeutic abortions in public hospitals in Peru. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional survey-based study. We invited 400 obstetrics and gynecology specialists from 7 academic public hospitals in Lima and 8 from other regions of Peru. Expert judges validated the survey. Results We collected survey results from 160 participants that met the inclusion criteria. Of those, 63.7% stated that the hospital where they work does not offer abortion training. Most of the participants consider that the position of the Peruvian government regarding therapeutic abortion is indifferent or deficient. The major limitations to provide therapeutic abortions included Peruvian law (53.8%), hospital policies (18.8%), and lack of experts (10.6%). Conclusion Most surveyed physicians supported therapeutic abortions and showed interest in improving their skills. However, not all hospitals offer training and education. The limited knowledge of the physicians regarding the law and institutional policies, as well as fear of ethical, legal, and religious repercussions, were the main barriers for providing abortions.