Preparing Interns for Anesthesiology Residency Training: Development and Assessment of the Successful Transition to Anesthesia Residency Training (START) E-Learning Curriculum

Abstract

The transition from internship to residency training may be a stressful time for interns, particularly if it involves a change among programs or institutions after completing a preliminary year. We explored whether an e-learning curriculum would increase interns' preparedness for the transition to the first year of clinical anesthesiology training and reduce stress by improving confidence and perceived competence in performing professional responsibilities. We tested a 10-month e-learning program, Successful Transition to Anesthesia Residency Training (START), as a longitudinal intervention to increase interns' self-perceived preparedness to begin anesthesiology residency training in a prospective, observational study and assessed acceptance and sustainability. After a needs assessment, we administered the START modules to 22 interns, once a month, using an integrated learning management and lecture-capture system. We surveyed interns' self-assessed preparedness to begin anesthesiology residency before and after completing the START modules. Interns from the prior year's class, who did not participate in the online curriculum, served as controls. After participation in the START intervention, self-assessed preparedness to begin residency improved by 72% (P = .02). Interns also felt more connected to, and had improved positive feelings toward, their new residency program and institution. Participation in our novel 10-month e-learning curriculum and virtual mentorship program improved interns' impression of their residency program and significantly increased interns' subjective assessment of their preparedness to begin anesthesiology residency. This e-learning concept could be more broadly applied and useful to other residency programs.