Log-book implementation in anaesthesiology residency training: A retrospective analysis

Dear Sir

A log-book, to record all work-related activities during clinical residency training, can become part of the teaching/learning process as a way to monitor the working status of trainees not only in order to document their progress, but also in order to identify areas where further training is necessary (Beasley et al. 2011). Such a document could become part of the curriculum vitae that professionals develops throughout their residency and, if properly updated, could also be maintained during their post-specialization working life.

A retrospective investigation was carried out at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia School of Anaesthesiology (Modena, Italy) to compare residents’ recording compliance between computerized and computerized web-based log-books during their first two years of anaesthesiology training and the variation in the degree of detail for the recordings. Data for this retrospective study came from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia's database of residency activities for two consecutive academic years.

Anaesthesia training activities were grouped into three categories: pre-operative patient assessment, peri-operative management of anaesthesia, post-operative patient follow-up. Compliance was measured as the ratio between activities and log-book entries, the degree of detail as the ratio between specific activities and entries. The data of 10 residents attending the first and the second years at the School of Anaesthesiology were included.

There was a statistically significant difference for peri-operative management of anaesthesia, where ratio medians were 29.81 in 2009–2010 and 13.03 in 2010–2011, p-value 0.0117. Specific activities/entries ratio medians were 22.00 in 2009–2010 and 13.71 in 2010–2011, p-value 0.0117.

Anaesthesiology practice comprises a variety of different activities, so it becomes necessary to keep track of residents’ educational career in a log-book. Users’ compliance, however, represents a limitation to its effectiveness. The development of a computerized, web-based record that guides trainees through the data entry process has the potential for improving not only accuracy but also completeness. A web-based log-book is a flexible, portable tool, and can be accessed and updated from any device that can connect to the Internet, even a smartphone.