Application of an Online Reference for Reviewing Basic Statistical Principles of Operating Room Management

Abstract

Operating room (OR) management differs from clinical anesthesia in that statistical literacy is needed daily to make good decisions. Two of the authors teach a course in operations research for surgical services to anesthesiologists, anesthesia residents, OR nursing directors, hospital administration students, and analysts to provide them with the knowledge to make evidence-based management decisions. Some of these students do not remember enough of their basic statistics class(es) to understand the principles presented. We performed a systematic, qualitative survey of previous experimental and quasi-experimental studies of the impact of a computer on student learning of the basic statistical topics that form a prerequisite to the management course. Computer-assisted instruction enhanced student learning of the basic statistical topics. We created slides containing both hyperlinks to specific pages of Rice University's introductory-level free web-based “Online Statistics Book” and OR management examples to provide context for the material. The website is effective at teaching the material because it directs students to test their predictions, which has been shown to enhance learning. Once students have completed the statistics review, they have sufficient background to learn the material in the OR management course. The students use an interactive Excel spreadsheet dealing with OR management topics to provide additional computer-assisted instruction.

• Active learning
• Statistics education
• Math prerequisites
• Operating theatre
• management
• Anesthesiology