A collaborative regional ocular anesthesia training program: successes and failures

[French national survey on evaluation by residents in anesthesiology and critical care of choice's motivations of the specialty and their practical and theoretical training]

INTRODUCTION

The duration of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (AIC) residency increased from four to five years in 2002 in France. AIC is a specialty increasingly chosen in relation to medical and surgical specialties. We conducted a national survey by questionnaire on the evaluation of their theoretical and practical training by the French residents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A questionnaire (demographics, motivations for the choice, training) was sent to 1422 residents, enrolled since 2002, in each province.

RESULTS

In total, 562 questionnaires (40 %) were returned. The mean age of residents is 28+/-2 years, 46 % are women, on average in 6th semester [1-10th]. The obtained specialty was their first choice for 90 % and of the obtained city home for 73 %. Residents declare that the place of their definitive installation will be chosen depending on the quality of life mainly. So, 97 % referred the same choice of specialty. Training in locoregional anaesthesia (LRA) was evaluated correct or good by 53 % of residents and in the management of difficult intubation correct or good by 62 %. Theoretical training was assessed correct by 31 % of responders and good by 53 % and practical training correct by 25 % and good by 61 %.

DISCUSSION

The AIC is now a specialty of positive choice by students. This choice is reinforced by teaching and practice during the residency. The global training is as good as a whole. Residents wish to deepen in some areas (ultrasound, LRA, critical reading, medical redaction) and an evaluation of their practical training with simulations.

CONCLUSION

French AIC residents seem satisfied with almost all their training and referred the same choice of specialty.

Les internes en anesthésie-réanimation — une enquête nationale

OBJECTIVE

We surveyed the residents in their first (R1) and fourth (R4, last) years of residency in anaesthesia and intensive care in France.

METHODS

The questionnaires mailed to each resident were designed to obtain personal data, motivation for specializing in anaesthesia and their opinion of their training.

RESULTS

The response rates were 48% for the R1 residents and 77% for the R4 residents. There were 40% females in this population and the R1 residents were 25 +/- 1 year old, 29 +/- 2 year-old for the R4 residents. Almost half (46%) of the R1 responders were married as were 74% of the R4 residents. They spent an average of 726 each year on books, computers and other educational items. Most (71%) had opted for anaesthesia after considering other medical specialties, but only 12% had considered surgery. Half (51%) were on a training program that was far away from their home. They thought highly of their training, with the clinical training being rated above the non-clinical component. About half of them had obtained specialized certificates (mainly additional certification in intensive care and antibiotic therapy) during their residency. Two thirds of those in R4 expected to work in a public hospital and about one third expected to work in intensive care. Money was an important factor in their choice of profession. A majority planned to remain in the area where they had graduated in anaesthesia after their residency. Finally, 96% declared that they would choose anaesthesia again if they had to do so.

CONCLUSION

French residents in anaesthesia are satisfied of their initial choice for anaesthesia and don't regret it at the end of their residency training.