Knowledge, Perceptions, and Career Interest in Anesthesiology among MBBS Students: Impact of an Operation Theater-only Elective

Background and Aims: Undergraduate exposure to anesthesiology is brief, and not all students have an option to take a 2-week, operation theatre (OT)-only elective in the Indian undergraduate medical curriculum. We aimed to find out whether taking this elective led to improved knowledge, more positive perceptions of the specialty, and a greater interest in choosing anesthesiology as a career among MBBS students. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a validated 25-item questionnaire. It produced a knowledge score (0–9), a perception score (10–50), and a yes/no measure of definite or likely career intention. We compared students who had completed anesthesia elective with those who had not. Results: Response rate was 70% ( n = 105). Most respondents (80%) were in the 3 rd year, and 20% had completed the elective, who were the 4 th -year students. The overall mean knowledge score was 5.1 ± 1.8. Students who completed the elective scored higher for knowledge (6.2 ± 1.4 vs. 4.1 ± 1.6; P < 0.001) and for perceptions (34 ± 5 vs. 28 ± 6; P < 0.001). The biggest gains were recognizing that anesthesiologists lead preanesthetic evaluation and also work in pain clinics. Words students used shifted positively (“patient-centred,” “team-oriented”), and interest in simulation was strong. Definite or likely career intention was 18% among elective-exposed students and 11% among those without elective ( P = 0.04). Elective completion and prior observership predicted higher perception, and perception ≥ 35 predicted career intention. Conclusion: Completing OT-only anesthesia elective was associated with better knowledge, more positive perceptions, and a modest increase in career interest.