Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Towards Painless Endoscopy - A Cross-Sectional Study

Q: What was the purpose of the study?

To investigate patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding painless gastrointestinal endoscopy among the Shanghai region.

Q: How was the study conducted and when?

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted at Longhua Hospital from July 27, 2023 to November 28, 2023.

Q: What main factors were associated with better patient practice?

Multivariate analysis showed that being medical personnel was independently associated with positive practice.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Damian

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is essential for diagnosing digestive diseases, yet patient discomfort remains a major barrier. This cross-sectional study at Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (July 27, 2023 to November 28, 2023) assessed patient knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward painless gastrointestinal endoscopy in the Shanghai region. Among 472 valid questionnaires, most respondents would receive painless endoscopy, but knowledge and practice remained limited. Educational interventions are urgently needed to improve awareness and adoption while addressing nausea-related hesitancy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Methods

Results

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices findings

Correlation and multivariate analyses

Conclusion

Patient Preference and Adherence Open Access Full Text Article ORIGINAL RESEARCH Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Towards Painless Endoscopy: A Cross-Sectional Study Zhen Ma*, Sheng Peng*, Rongrong Shen, Ming Zhu Department of Anesthesiology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence: Ming Zhu, Department of Anesthesiology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 725, Wanping South Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13611944790, Email [zhuming@longhua.net](zhuming@longhua.net) | Background: Gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) is crucial for diagnosing digestive tract issues, yet discomfort remains a significant concern. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients undergoing GIE in the Shanghai region regarding painless GIE.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from July 27, 2023, to November 28, 2023, using a questionnaire survey to collect data.
Results: A total of 472 valid questionnaires were collected. Among them, 273 (57.8%) were female, and 458 (97.0%) would receive painless GIE. The KAP scores were 7 (4–9) for knowledge, 41 (36.5–46) for attitudes, and 17 (16–20) for practices. Correlation analyses showed that knowledge (r = 0.202, p < 0.001) and attitude (r = 0.290, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with practice. However, the correlation between knowledge and attitude was insignificant. Notably, 47.5% of patients recognized painless GIE asa safe examination method, and 37.1% affirmed its effectiveness in reducing fear. Additionally, 38.8% of respondents would recommend painless GIE to those who need it, although 30.1% would hesitate to visit the hospital because of nausea or discomfort. Multivariate analysis showed that being medical personnel was independently associated with positive practice.
Conclusion: Patients undergoing GIE in the Shanghai region exhibit limited knowledge, suboptimal attitudes, and inadequate practices regarding painless GIE. It is imperative to devise and implement targeted educational interventions to enhance patient awareness and foster the adoption of painless endoscopy techniques within clinical settings. Given the global increase in demand for patient-centered endoscopy services, our results may also serve as a useful reference for other countries or regions with similar healthcare systems, sedation practices, or cultural contexts.
Keywords: gastrointestinal endoscopy, painless gastrointestinal endoscopy, patient, knowledge, attitude, practice | | --- | | Introduction
Gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE), recognized as one of the most significant innovations in the medical field during the 20th century, has fundamentally transformed the diagnosis and management of GI disorders.1 As the role of GIE in the medical field has expanded, they have become increasingly integral in treating and diagnosing various GI tract conditions.2 The advancement of anesthesiology and the continuous development of anesthetic drugs have made it possible for endoscopic procedures, which were once painful, to be performed under anesthesia, leading to the widespread adoption of painless gastroscopy for screening diseases of the stomach, oesophagus, duodenum, and colorectum.3,4 Meanwhile, sedation-assisted gastrointestinal endoscopy has been increasingly adopted globally, with Asian countries reporting high utilization rates.5 In China, a recent national survey found that the sedation rate for gastrointestinal endoscopy was around 48% overall and only 47.9% for gastroscopy.6 | Received: 17 July 2025 Accepted: 24 December 2025 Published: 31 December 2025 Patient Preference and Adherence 2025:19 4

FAQs

What was the purpose of the study?

To investigate patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding painless gastrointestinal endoscopy among the Shanghai region.

How was the study conducted and when?

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted at Longhua Hospital from July 27, 2023 to November 28, 2023.

What main factors were associated with better patient practice?

Multivariate analysis showed that being medical personnel was independently associated with positive practice.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Damian