[Perceived quality of resident training in anesthesiology and postoperative recovery care]

To carry out an opinion survey on the quality of residency training in the specialty of anesthesiology and postoperative recovery care. To propose improvements to be made based on the results.

All training programs in the specialty of anesthesiology and postoperative recovery care within the Spanish National Public Health System were provided with an opinion questionnaire designed by the national professional association (Sociedad Espaiiola de Anestesia, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor). The aspects assessed were sense of welcome and integration; curriculum; training sessions; external rotations (outside the anesthesiology department); surgical anesthesia; emergency and on-call training; specific practical training objectives; research; other aspects; annual assessment and evaluation of the assigned supervisor and the educational committee; overall opinion of the education received; the structure of the anesthesiology department.

Questionnaires were returned between May and November 2005, with a response rate of 30%. Specialized residency training was considered satisfactory overall but there was great interest in measures to improve it. The most highly assessed features were the sense of departmental welcome and integration and the work performed during duty assignments in the specialty. Deficiencies that generated the most dissatisfaction were external rotations, training in certain techniques (chest drainage and management of a bronchoscope), research, complementary training (computer skills, bioethics, and communication skills).

Despite a poor rate of return, the results can help indicate directions to take in making improvements at different levels of the specialty's organization.