Evaluating the Perception of Anaesthesiology Postgraduate Trainees on the Learning Environment in Operation Theatres in Malaysia

Perception on the Learning Environment in OT
Vol. 21 No. 2 : 2026 (814-829)

Lau Chin Lau Chin
Wan Rahiza Wan Mat Wan Rahiza Wan Mat
Noorjahan Haneem Md Hashim Noorjahan Haneem Md Hashim
Noor Airini Ibrahim Noor Airini Ibrahim
Azrina Md Ralib Azrina Md Ralib
Laila Ab Mukmin Laila Ab Mukmin

Abstract
This prospective cross-sectional study evaluated anaesthesiology postgraduate trainees’ perceptions of the learning environment in operating theatres (OTs) across Malaysia using validated Anaesthetic Trainee Theatre Educational Environment Measure (ATEEM) questionnaire. The instrument comprised of 40 items categorised in five domains. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests and Analysis of Variance. A total of 152 trainees responded (response rate 52%). The mean overall ATEEM score was 121.5 + 21.9. Among the domains, “Perception of Autonomy” received the highest range average percentage score (88.1%) while “Workload, Supervision and Support” was the lowest (65%). Male trainees reported significantly higher scores in the “Learning Opportunities and Orientation to Learning” domain (p = 0.034). Trainees from accredited non-university hospitals perceived their teachers and teaching more favourably compared to those from university hospitals (p = 0.040). Significant differences were observed across years of training in selected items from the “Atmosphere”, “Workload/Supervision/Support” and “Teachers and Teaching” domains. University-based trainees expressed greater uncertainty regarding specific items within these same domains, while no significant differences were found in the “Autonomy” and “Learning Opportunities and Orientation to Learning” domains”. Post hoc pairwise comparisons were conducted for significant items. Overall, the learning environment in OTs was perceived positively. However, concerns were raised regarding workload, atmosphere and quality of teaching. Notably, the positive perception of teaching declined among trainees transitioning from non-university to university hospitals. These findings underscore the need to examine institutional differences and implement targeted strategies to enhance the consistency and quality of the OT learning experience.
Keywords : Anaesthesiology postgraduate trainee; Anaesthetic Trainee Theatre Educational Environment Measure; learning environment, operation theatre,
Abstrak
Kajian keratan rentas prospektif ini menilai persepsi pelatih pascasiswazah anestesiologi terhadap persekitaran pembelajaran di dewan bedah (OT) di seluruh Malaysia menggunakan soal selidik ‘Anaesthetic Trainee Theatre Educational Environment Measure’ (ATEEM) yang divalidasikan. Instrumen ini terdiri daripada 40 item yang dikategorikan kepada lima domain. Data dianalisa menggunakan statistik deskriptif, ‘ujian-t bebas dan Analisis Varians. Seramai 152 pelatih memberikan maklum balas (kadar maklum balas 52%). Purata skor keseluruhan ATEEM ialah 121.5 + 21.9. Antara domain yang dinilai, “Persepsi Autonomi” menerima skor peratusan purata julat tertinggi (88.1%) manakala “Beban Kerja, Penyeliaan dan Sokongan” adalah yang terendah (65%). Pelatih lelaki melaporkan markah yang jauh lebih tinggi dalam domain “Peluang Pembelajaran dan Orientasi kepada Pembelajaran” (p = 0.034). Pelatih dari hospital bukan universiti yang bertauliah menganggap guru dan pengajaran mereka lebih baik berbanding pelatih dari hospital universiti (p = 0.040). Perbezaan ketara telah diperhatikan mengikut tahun latihan bagi beberapa item dalam domain “Atmosfera”, “Beban Kerja/Penyeliaan/Sokongan” dan “Guru dan Pengajaran”. Pelatih yang berasaskan universiti menyatakan ketidakpastian yang lebih tinggi mengenai item-item tertentu dalam domain yang sama, manakala tiada perbezaan yang ketara ditemui dalam domain “Autonomi” dan “Peluang Pembelajaran dan Orientasi kepada Pembelajaran”. Perbandingan berpasangan post hoc turut dijalankan untuk item-item yang menunjukkan perbezaan signifikan. Secara keseluruhannya, persekitaran pembelajaran di OT dinilai secara positif. Walau bagaimanapun, kebimbangan telah dibangkitkan berkaitan beban kerja, suasana persekitaran dan kualiti pengajaran. Khususnya, persepsi positif terhadap kualiti pengajaran didapati merosot dalam kalangan pelatih yang beralih daripada hospital bukan universiti ke hospital universiti. Penemuan ini menekankan keperluan untuk mengkaji perbezaan antara institusi serta melaksanakan strategi yang bersasar bagi meningkatkan konsistensi dan kualiti pengalaman pembelajaran di OT.
Kata Kunci : Anaesthetic Trainee Theatre Education Environment Measure; bilik bedah; persekitaran pembelajaran; pelatih lepasan siswazah anestesiologi,

Correspondance Address
*Correspondence: docaweng@yahoo.com


Percentage distribution of postgraduate trainees for each scale of perception