The effectiveness of a simple novel approach on electroencephalograph instruction for anesthesiology residents
BACKGROUND: The electroencephalogram (EEG) measures cerebral activity and, because of its use as an intraoperative monitor, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires EEG monitoring experience during anesthesiology residency. To improve the anesthesiology residents' education at the University of Kentucky, a new learning module was created in collaboration with a neurologist expert in EEGs. METHODS: During the neurosurgical intensive care unit rotation, the anesthesiology residents interpreted intraoperative EEGs and EEGs performed throughout the institution. The number of EEGs interpreted during this experience ranged from 14 to 48. An evaluation tool of 25 items was developed to assess the impact of this experience, which included EEG tracings, clinical EEG interpretation and monitoring, and EEG anesthetic effects. RESULTS: Forty evaluations were performed on 33 residents. Seven residents had evaluations before and after the in depth EEG experience. Mean (se) scores of 25 items significantly improved from 10.7 ± 3.9 to 18.9 ± 3.0 (P < 0.001) after this educational opportunity. The residents with the new educational EEG exposure (n = 12, 19.2 ± 3.4) scored better than did the residents with only the traditional approach without in depth EEG exposure (n = 14, 9.5 ± 2.4). DISCUSSION: This educational effort using the department of neurology expertise provided a significant improvement in EEG assessment tool scores. © 2008 by International Anesthesia Research Society.