Educational environment of operating rooms in teaching hospitals of Tehran, Iran, and Shahid Beheshti Universities of Medical Sciences based on ATEEM questionnaire: anesthesiology residents` perspective

Introduction:Teaching experience in operating room is the core of learning for residents of anesthesiology. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the learning environment of operating rooms from viewpoints of anesthesiology residents in teaching hospitals of Tehran, Iran, and Shahid Beheshti Universities of Medical Sciences based on ATEEM questionnaire. Methods:In this descriptive cross-sectional study, views of 156 anesthesiology residents regarding the learning environment of operating rooms in hospitals associated with Tehran, Iran and Shahid Beheshti Universities of Medical Sciences were collected by means of census method using ATEEM (Anesthetic Trainee Theatre Educational Environment Measure) questionnaire in 2014-2015. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results:Final mean score of the questionnaire was 114. 03±23. 59 (out of 160) and at a desired level. Total mean scores of all domains were 113. 59±25. 12 and 114. 85±21. 78 for female and male residents respectively and were not significantly different (p=0. 742). Comparison of mean scores in terms of academic year showed significant difference (p=0. 032, F=3. 025) regarding the domain of residents’ perception of faculty members and teaching however, no significant difference was found in other domains. Conclusion:Results showed that residents’ perspective of the learning environment in operating rooms was favorable. It seems that high workload and interference with training programs and lack of learning opportunity during practice are weaknesses of this learning environment that needs to be further investigated and handled by the competent authorities.