Pioneering Perianesthesia Nursing in Japan: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Participant Satisfaction and Current Strategic Perspectives

Introduction: Perianesthesia nursing is an emerging specialty in Japan, and its educational framework and professional roles are still developing. In 2010, our graduate school established the first educational program for perianesthesia nurses (PANs). To support continuing education and professional networking, an annual study meeting has been held for healthcare professionals involved in perioperative care. This study aimed to evaluate participants’ satisfaction with the educational sessions and to identify challenges and future directions for perianesthesia nursing education in Japan. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among participants of a perianesthesia nursing study meeting held outside the institution in 2019. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 20 items and open-ended questions was distributed to 100 participants. Satisfaction with educational lectures and program management was assessed using Likert-scale items. Descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients were calculated, and qualitative content analysis was conducted on free-text comments. Results: Sixty-three valid responses were obtained (response rate 63%). The majority of respondents reported being “extremely satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with the educational sessions. The keynote lecture on anesthesiology education received the highest rating. Overall satisfaction with program management was high, despite comparatively lower ratings for time allocation. Content analysis identified three categories: proposals for multidisciplinary exchange programs, insufficient understanding of PAN activities, and questions regarding the professional significance of PANs. Conclusions: The survey revealed that nurses attending the perianesthesia study sessions were largely experienced and expressed high overall satisfaction with both the educational content and the session management. Despite this positive feedback, participants sought greater opportunities for multidisciplinary interaction and clearer insight into the evolving role of PANs. Given that nurse anesthetists’ autonomy and scope of practice vary widely across countries but generally trend toward advanced, independent practice, the Japanese perianesthesia nursing role must be redefined and its career pathways strengthened to align with international advanced practice standards.