Irish Medical Students Knowledge and Perception of Anaesthesia

Background: Medical students are often considered by anaesthetists to have a lack of knowledge of anaesthesia and the role of the anaesthetist.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a clinical clerkship in anaesthesia on Irish medical students understanding of anaesthesia as a specialty, the role of anaesthetists and career choice through comparison of pre-clinical and clinical medical students.Methods: This was a cross sectional study of 80 Irish medical students who completed an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 16 items.Results: Only 47.5% of clinical students were aware that anaesthetists participate in running intensive care units and just 65% knew that anaesthetists were involved in the management of chronic pain. However, 100% of clinical students recognised that anaesthetists administered epidural analgesia to obstetric patients and 30% of clinical students would consider a career in this specialty.Conclusion: This research is providing medical professionals and educators with updated information which may be useful for improving students experience and understanding of anaesthesia.