Creating a standardized operating room management curriculum for anesthesia trainees

As the healthcare environment evolves, physicians are taking on new roles and responsibilities. In addition to clinical care, physicians must now be knowledgeable about administrative concepts and understand healthcare finances. However, these nonclinical subjects usually are not taught during residency training. Introducing these topics into all residencies in the form of standardized lectures, reading materials, and management rotations is a way to bridge the knowledge gap and better prepare future physicians as they enter the workforce. Currently, very few programs have a curriculum that addresses the required elements. Implementing a specific operating room management curriculum will, ideally, allow residents to gain practical and theoretical experience in this area and develop a better understanding of the scope of administrative medicine.