Perception of Surgical Residents about Learning in Operation Theatres at CHICH Using STEEM

Abstract

Abstract
 Introduction:
 Educational environment or learning environment is a context in which teaching, training and grooming of post graduate residents occurs. Surgical specialty as a whole and operating rooms in particular are very important in terms teaching and training. Perception of residents as to this learning environment is quite vital to their learning and should be assessed objectively to identify weak and strong areas of the environment. The Surgical Theatre Educational Environment Measures (STEEM) questionnaire is an instrument that can be used to assess perception of residents about learning environment in operation theatre.
 Objective:
 To evaluate the perception of surgical post-graduate residents about their learning environment in operating rooms and compare this perception among different strata of residents as to age, gender, and year of residency.
 Methods:
 This cross-sectional study was conducted at The Children’s Hospital & The Institute of Child Health Lahore. STEEM questionnaire was used to check the perceptions of educational environment in surgical theatres. This study was carried out from July 2019 to September 2019. A total of 62 surgical residents were given printed questionnaire after informed consent. The data was analyzed through SPSS V24 and descriptive and inferential analyses performed.
 
 Results:
 Out of 62 surgical residents, 61 responded (Response rate 98.3%). Mean age of residents was 29.27 years (±2.37); 45 residents were male whereas 16 were females (2.8:1). Majority of residents were from 3rd (34.4%) and 4th (21.3%) year of their residency. The total mean score was 147.66 (±18.57). No difference in mean scores were found as to age and sex of participants; whereas, responses were statistically more positive for residents in their first year or fifth year of their residency. Overall 53 residents gave favorable/positive response. 
 Conclusion:
 Overall residents had good perception about their training and supervisors, learning opportunities in operation theatre, atmosphere in operation theatre, and supervision being provided to them. 
 Key words
 STEEM, Surgical, Perception, Surgical residents, Learning environment, Operation theatre learning.

Educational Environment in Operating Theatres of Bangladesh: Views of Surgical Trainees and Trainers

“…Although the perception score of other subgroups are satisfactory but the difference between subgroups is statistically significant. Consistent with other studies 10,11 this study also shows females are less satisfied than males (19.92±4.92/40 vs 21.48±5.54/40) regarding the perception of the most crucial factor (group D) i.e. supervision and support by the faculties or the system.…”

Surgical residents' perceptions of the operating theatre educational environment at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College: A cross-sectional survey

“…Other studies have also reported similarly positive scores for the “teaching and training” subscale. However, the “learning opportunities” subscale has been positively reported in other studies with mean scores of 72.6% and 76.21% [ 15 , 22 ].…”

“…9 “Before the operation my consultant discusses what part of the procedure I will perform.” Nagraj also had similar findings with no significant difference in the Overall score, between male and female responders, however, female residents perceived a much more positive operating theatre educational environment (score of 176) than did their male colleagues (score 153) [ 23 ]. Other studies did not indicate the presence of any difference in the total or any of the subscales based on gender [ 13 , 22 ]. The causes of this disparity were not determined in this study.…”

“…However, on the subscale of “learning opportunities,” and “atmosphere” junior residents scored lower than senior residents; this difference was statistically significant ( p -value < 0.05). There are mixed results regarding the difference in perceptions between senior and junior residents with some studies reporting no statistically significant differences regarding the total measure score or any of its subscales' scores [ 23 , 28 ] and others the reverse [ 22 ]. This could be explained by the fact that juniors typically observe and help more in the operating room, while seniors typically perform the majority of surgical procedures with assistance, have a more supervisory role in the ward, and carry out administrative tasks like scheduling.…”

“…A score of at least 120 out of 200 was considered favorable. A value above 120 indicates a more satisfactory perception of the educational environment as indicated by most studies conducted using this parameter [ 7 , [21] , [22] , [23] ]. A few items with negative responses ( 8, 14, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 28, and 40 ) were reverse-coded to keep the score in the positive direction.…”