Evaluation of Knowledge Acquisition with a Practice Management Course for Anesthesiology Residents: A Pilot Study

• Published in: The journal of education in perioperative medicine 2019-01, Vol.21 (1), p.E630-E630
• Main Authors: Gill, Gurwinder, Ho, Geoffrey, Hopkins, Amanda, Alsubahi, Turky, Hong, Bryant, Patel, Falin, Tsai, Mitchell H, Brackett, Samantha, Hindle, A Katharine, Sherman, Marian, Berger, Jeffrey S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original Research
• ISSN: 2333-0406; 2333-0406
• DOI: 10.46374/volxxi-issue1-gill

Physicians routinely rely on nontechnical skills-including leadership ability, managerial skills and financial considerations-when delivering patient care. Efficient practice management is a commonplace expectation of attending anesthesiologists, but there is no uniform residency training to foster the expertise required to succeed in this endeavor. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a novel practice management course for anesthesiology residents. Senior anesthesiology residents (Clinical Anesthesia-3) at The George Washington University were eligible to participate in a 1-month Ambulatory Anesthesiology-Practice Management Rotation focusing on the acquisition of nontechnical skills and knowledge applicable to becoming an effective clinical leader. The rotation included 1-week service as operating room manager, completion of an online module, assigned readings with follow-up discussions, and completion of a billing and reimbursement exercise. The interventions, in aggregate, were measured with a preknowledge and a postknowledge test. Twelve residents out of 14 (86%) completed the preknowledge and postknowledge tests. Residents scored significantly higher on the postcourse exam (61.49%, SD 18.65%) than the pretest (42.7%, SD 12.7%) (P < .004). A curriculum designed to develop the practice management skills required of a physician anesthesiologist is feasible and effective at improving knowledge within a 1-month, senior resident rotation.