Evaluation of the clinical learning environment in a quaternary trauma anaesthesia department: a pilot project

Evaluation of the clinical learning environment in teaching hospitals is an important quality improvement metric. The measure for the anaesthesia theatre educational environment is a validated tool measuring the educational environment in the operating theatre, specific to anaesthesia. Monitoring the learning environment provides information about the impact of interventions, the influence of major events such as a global pandemic and is increasingly linked to accreditation requirements. This study was conducted to establish a baseline for monitoring the impact of interventions designed to improve the learning environment. We surveyed trainees at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, a trauma hospital in Melbourne, Australia, aiming to identify areas for improvement in the clinical learning environment and provide a needs analysis for interventions to help anaesthesia trainees set and achieve learning goals. This single centre survey study occurred over a 6-week period from May 2023. Medical staff who had undertaken a training rotation at Royal Melbourne Hospital in the past 6 months were eligible. Twenty-six responses were received (response rate 39%). Areas for improvement included setting learning goals (mean 3.9, median 5, interquartile range 4-5) and assessment of trainee performance (mean 3.8, median 4, interquartile range 3-5). Over 80% of participants had received no training in how to set a learning goal, despite over 90% indicating that it would be of value to their experience. Trainee perception of the learning environment was positive but there is opportunity for improvement. We are planning interventions to assist trainees and consultants to set learning goals while working in a dynamic clinical learning environment.