Background: The shift to virtual interviews during the COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the vital role of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education residency program websites in conveying information to applicants. The purpose of our study was to assess the recruitment, education, and diversity and inclusion content on websites for anesthesiology residency programs. Second, we aimed to test the hypothesis that the content scores of websites are higher in programs with more National Institutes of Health funding, in programs that are university-based versus community-based, and in larger programs, as measured by number of residents.
Methods: Two independent reviewers evaluated the websites of the 159 anesthesiology residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for the presence (yes/no) of 12 recruitment, 6 education, and 8 diversity and inclusion criteria. Multiple linear regression was used to determine which program factors were most associated with total website content score.
Results: Anesthesiology residency program websites contained a mean of 12.9 (SD = 3.4; range, 3-21) of the 26 study-defined criteria. The most common recruitment, education, and diversity and inclusion criteria were, respectively, program description, rotation information, and community demographics. Controlling for program factors, a university-based affiliation (P = .016) was associated with higher website content scores.
Conclusions: There is large variation in the recruitment, education, and diversity and inclusion content on anesthesiology residency program websites nationally. Since program websites averaged only half of criteria, this may provide an impetus for programs to modify their websites, which may inform applicant decisions about which programs align with their training and career goals.
Background: Eye-tracking measures attention patterns, which may offer insight into evaluating procedural expertise. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using eye tracking to assess visual fixation patterns when performing an ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia procedure and to assess for differences between experienced, intermediate, and novice practitioners.
Methods: Participants performed an ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block 3 times on a fresh cadaver model while wearing eye-tracking glasses. Gaze fixation and dwell time on each location were compared between participants. Eye-gaze paths were used to derive a measure of entropy, or how often participants switched gaze fixations between locations.
Results: Five attending anesthesiologists, 5 third-year anesthesiology residents with prior ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia experience, and 5 medical students completed the study. Individuals with more experience were more likely to successfully perform the sciatic nerve block (5/5 attendings, 5/5 residents, 0/5 students; P = .002) and performed the procedure faster (average: attendings 62.6 seconds, residents 106.4 seconds, students 134.4 seconds; P = .089). Participants were progressively faster with practice (Trial 1: 41.8 seconds, Trial 2: 29.2 seconds, Trial 3: 28.9 seconds; P = .012), and the average number of eye shifts per trial decreased from 10.8 to 6.5 to 6 (P = .010). Attending physicians spent significantly less time fixating on the ultrasound monitor compared to trainees (P = .035). Average visual entropy progressively decreased from Trial 1 to Trial 3 (P = .03) and with greater experience (P = .15). There was a strong correlation between entropy and time on task (r(16) = 0.826, P = .001).
Conclusions: Experienced providers make fewer back-and-forth visual fixations, spend less time in the procedure, and demonstrate less entropy during ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia procedures. Mobile eye-tracking has the potential to provide additional objective measures of performance that may help not only determine procedural competence but also distinguish between levels of proficiency.
Background: The unique characteristics of the millennial generation has promulgated changes in the workplace and in academia. A lack of national standards necessitates that anesthesia faculty create educational content for anesthesia clerkships. Assessing expectations before an anesthesia rotation would provide data to accommodate millennial medical students' needs and preferences for learning.
Methods: A 16-question survey using Qualtrics software was created, with input from millennial medical students, to query preclinical medical students at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine on their educational expectations of an anesthesia clerkship.
Results: Seventy-four surveys were completed, with 34 (46%) of 74 from first-year and 40 (54%) of 74 from second-year medical students. Daily feedback (44 [59%] of 74) and written exams (43 [58%] of 74) were preferred methods of evaluation. No lectures, observing in an operating room, and performing procedures on real patients were the preferred format for instruction. Two (23 [31%] or 74) to 3 (33 [45%] of 74) weeks was the preferred duration of an anesthesia rotation.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that millennial medical students have preconceived educational expectations of an anesthesia clerkship, and identifies learning preferences that differ from the implemented anesthesia curriculum currently described in the literature.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a rapid pivot from in-person to virtual residency interviews across the United States. We present a survey we conducted about the attitudes and opinions of anesthesiology program directors with regard to the 2021 virtual interview process.
Methods: This was a 13-question online survey disseminated to 142 anesthesiology residency program directors in February 2021, asking them to compare the most recent interview cycle to their experience with prior cycles.
Results: There were 46 (37%) respondents. Generally, respondents saw an increase in applicants and reported perceiving worse interpersonal relationships with applicants, significantly so in programs with small resident classes.
Conclusions: Past research has focused on the benefits of virtual interviews for the applicant, but these should be evaluated in tandem with increased difficulties for the interviewers.
Introduction: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is increasingly used for intraoperative management during orthotopic liver transplantation. Proficient TEE use requires skill and knowledge to accurately assess the hemodynamic status and guide clinical management. Currently there are no TEE educational tracks specifically focused on perioperative liver transplant management and barriers to obtaining basic certification exist.
Methods: A 4-hour simulation-based learning (SBL) course was provided to improve liver transplant anesthesiologist TEE knowledge and skill. Learners received training and education using a TEE simulator in small groups focusing on basic image acquisition, relevant anatomy, hemodynamic calculations, and pathology germane to the liver transplant period. Knowledge assessment and survey responses were assessed at the beginning and completion of the course. Learners completed TEE examinations with simulated pathology during high-fidelity simulations following the course.
Results: Seventeen anesthesiologists completed the course. The median baseline knowledge assessment score was 55.0% (37-70). The median postcourse knowledge assessment score improved to 95.0% (94-100) (P < .001). All anesthesiologists were able to identify TEE pathology during high-fidelity simulation. Survey responses yielded significant median score improvement in all areas assessed using a 5-point Likert scale.
Conclusions: A small group, simulation TEE course delivered over 4 hours can increase knowledge and skill in TEE use for liver transplant anesthesiologists.