Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals in anesthesia-related departments regarding postoperative delirium: a scale development and cross-sectional study

This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals in anesthesia-related departments regarding postoperative delirium (POD). A single-center, cross-sectional, self-reported online survey using snowball sampling was conducted at Second Xiangya Hospital from September to November 2024, and 550 valid questionnaires were included, corresponding to a valid questionnaire proportion of 96.15% (550/572) among the submitted questionnaires. Most respondents were nurses (80.7%) and female (71.8%), with 44.4% having 11–15 years of experience; 86.6% had managed POD before. Mean KAP scores were as follows: self-perceived knowledge 20.00 ± 7.33 (out of 32, 62.5%), attitude 42.43 ± 4.79 (84.9%), and practice 29.83 ± 6.44 (74.6%). According to predefined classification criteria, the mean perceived knowledge score fell within the moderate range. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships: knowledge correlated with attitude ( r = 0.741) and practice ( r = 0.688), and attitude with practice ( r = 0.703). Structural equation modeling showed significant associations among knowledge, attitude, and practice, with knowledge associated with both attitude and practice, and attitude associated with practice. Healthcare professionals in anesthesia-related departments exhibited moderate perceived knowledge, positive attitudes, and relatively positive practices toward managing POD, with these domains being significantly interrelated. Addressing practical deficiencies requires integrating evidence-based tools, fostering continuous professional development, and tailoring interventions to specific cultural and organizational contexts.