Patients’ attitudes towards the involvement of medical students during induction of regional anesthesia

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We surveyed patients undergoing day surgery to determine attitudes towards medical students’ during induction of regional anesthesia. DESIGN/INTERVENTIONS: During a two-month period, an anonymous questionnaire was given to one hundred and eighty patients presenting for elective day surgery with planned regional anesthesia. SETTING: Pre-operative assessment area in a district general hospital. PATIENTS: All adult elective day surgery patients undergoing regional anesthesia. MAIN RESULTS: One hundred sixteen patients (72%) would allow medical students to be present during the induction of regional anesthesia, and 104 (63%) would allow medical students to perform basic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirms that the majority of patients undergoing regional anesthesia would allow medical students to be present during the induction and to participate in supervised procedures. Concerns regarding patient anxiety could be alleviated by the introduction of the student pre-operatively; the problem of clinical errors made by students is the responsibility of the supervising doctor, and careful selection of practical procedures is crucial.