An-Najah Staff

Publication Type

Original research

Authors

Background Anesthesia training is an important component of medical education. This multicenter study was

conducted to determine the teaching approaches used during anesthesia training or rotations and to assess the

satisfaction of the medical students.

Methods This multicenter study was conducted in a cross-sectional design. The study was conducted among 5th

and 6th year medical students who completed their anesthesia rotations in different training centers in Palestine. The

data were collected using a questionnaire in adherence to the strengthening the reporting of observational studies in

epidemiology statement.

Results Questionnaires were returned by 385 medical students. The mean anesthesia rotation length was 12.4±2.1

days. On average, the students witnessed 7.8±4.9 procedures performed under general, regional, and local anesthesia

in a week. Of the students, 135 (35.1%) and 126 (32.8%) stated that the educators always or often explained how and

why they did procedures or techniques during the anesthesia rotation and assessed their baseline level of knowledge

before giving new knowledge or explaining things. On the other hand, stepping back and allowing the trainees

to work through, presenting articles or literature relevant to the case, and being open to trying new or different

procedures or techniques were less often reported by the medical students. Less than half of the students were

satisfied with their competencies gained through the anesthesia rotation.

Conclusion Educators used active and effective teaching or training approaches less frequently during the

anesthesia rotations. The findings of this study also showed that the medical students were not satisfied with their

competencies after their anesthesia rotations. More studies are still needed to determine the best ways to improve

anesthesia rotations and medical education or training in Palestine.

Keywords Anesthesiology, Medical education, Medical students, Anesthesia training, Palestine

Journal