Gersten Jonker

Variations in anesthesiology training   135 6 TABLE 1: Survey questions on assessment and certification process Question Response format Please select your country Choose from list Year of publication of the provided documents Short answer textboxes What is the (minimal) duration of training? Short answer textbox What are the prerequisites/requirements to initiate the certification process? Open answer textbox Is there a uniform certification process in your country, or do differences in local/regional processes exist? Open answer textbox Please describe the certification process. Open answer textbox Is there a national registration of medical specialists in anesthesiology? Yes/no Which assessment tools are used during postgraduate training in anesthesiology? Nationally and locally. Choice from list of tools Please indicate which of the following competencies are assessed? Choice from: Medical Expert, Leader, Scholar, Professional Analysis Numerical data underwent descriptive statistics where appropriate. Difference of mean scores between groups was tested with independent samples t-tests with statistical significance assumed at p<.05. Narrative data from all countries were qualitatively analyzed independently by three researchers (GJ, LM, AM). Differences in qualitative analysis by the researchers were discussed to reach consensus. Clarification from respondents of the survey was sought for any uncertainty in interpretation of the answers. Supporting documents were used to substantiate or supplement findings from the survey responses. The report of this study adheres, wherever applicable, to the Survey Reporting List [7]. RESULTS Response Survey responses were collected from November 2015 until March 2016, with clarification and completion of responses during the analysis phase, which took place until August 2016. Informed consent, completed surveys and documents were obtained from all respondents of the 36 countries represented at UEMS/EBA in 2015 (response rate 100%). One country did not have a postgraduate training program in anesthesiology; the remaining 35 countries were included in the analysis.