Table 3 Guidelines for operating room curricular designs

1

Structured learning positively influences student learning within the OR environment. The learning within OR-based environment should be structured- not opportunistic. There should be collaborative content selection by the teacher and student, keeping in sight the required skill set for a standardized graduate.

1

2

The teacher’s interest, preparedness for lessons, teaching competence, teaching style, behaviour with students, and a welcoming attitude positively influence the quality of student’s OR-based learning. Teacher training for all these attributes is a pre-requisite for quality OR-based learning.

1

3

The learning objectives of OR-based learning should be clear, practical, synchronized with concomitant teaching and need to be defined and circulated prior to sessions in an effective manner. The learning objectives should be developed by the teacher/s with student input for essential components of standardized OR-based learning required for graduation. However, the students should be given room in curriculum to follow his or her own personal learning objectives for enhanced learning at individual level.

0.931034

4

An orientation session about the theatre complex, staff, teaching provisions, theatre working, basic concepts of sterilization and biomedical ethics can alleviate student’s anxiety and nervousness. An orientation session at the commencement of OR rotation can be quite effective.

1

5

Priming students with pertinent educational material prior to lessons, improves student’s participation and understanding. Provide students with relevant educational cognitive material for OR learning prior to OR lessons.

0.931034

6

Constructive and prompt feedback positively influences student’s OR learning. The teachers should be trained to provide constructive and prompt feedback. Assessment should involve cognitive, psychomotor, and affective aspects of the OR-based learning.

1

7

Training to handle OR environment through affective skill training is important for student’s optimal participation in OR lessons. The students should be oriented and trained to overcome their anxieties to better participate within dynamic OR environment.

0.965517

8

Bullying, intimidation, victimization, and harsh attitude negatively affect the student’s participation in OR learning. Train your faculty to avoid it and ensure a mechanism for accountability.

1

9

Student’s ability to effectively interact with theatre staff, motivation and desire to learn and ability to self-regulate learning during OR sessions is pivotal. The teacher needs to ensure that students interact adequately and remain motivated for lessons.

1

10

Adequate and individualized interaction is key to enhanced OR-based learning. To improve teacher-student interaction and individual attention, keep student number rotating in OR to a minimum.

1

11

The theatre complex should be transformed into a learning hub for medical students, with enhanced visualization of procedures through technology (e.g., LED Screens and microscopes etc.) where ever appropriate, improved synchronization with a simulation lab and better administration.

1

12

Motivate and provide opportunities for students to practice skills through well-coordinated skill lab and OR-based psychomotor activities.

1