Anaesthesia and education.

A literature review was undertaken to document the status of anaesthetic education in both the peer-reviewed anaesthesia and medical education literature. A search was performed using Silver Platter for the period 1983-91, and the most widely circulated medical education and anaesthesia journals in North America were reviewed in detail. Although anaesthetists are involved in many educational activities, the literature is oriented towards postgraduate training. Common issues include the assessment and selection of residents. Newer methods of evaluation, for example, daily assessment by preceptors, have been described, but work continues to be needed on these and older methods, such as oral examinations. Selection processes may be improved by incorporating psychological and psychomotor measures in the assessment process. A limited number of teaching methods, especially simulators, have been the focus of much interest, while other methods, such as bedside teaching, have received little attention. Programs of recertification or maintenance of competence, which have been announced by certifying bodies, may place new emphasis on the study of the design, effectiveness, and outcome of continuing medical education. In conclusion, the review revealed that there are many opportunities for anaesthetists to conduct educational research into many traditional and new areas of medical education.