Experiences of Clinical and Academic Anesthesia Professionals of the Essential Competencies Required for a BSc Degree in Anesthesia: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Background: Anesthesia has undergone significant changes in recent years. Healthcare providers are required to assume multiple advanced roles due to increasingly complex patient needs and the expansion of anesthesia care, necessitating deeper knowledge and skills in anesthesia practice. This study aimed to explore the experiences of clinical and academic anesthesia professionals regarding the essential competencies required for a bachelor›s degree in anesthesia. Methods: This qualitative content analysis was conducted in educational and medical centers of Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran from 2020 to 2021. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews with 16 clinical and academic anesthesia professionals, selected via purposive sampling. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using conventional content analysis via MAXQDA-10 software. Results: Data analysis yielded 24 subcategories, which were classified into 5 main categories including, core skills related to practical care, united effort to foster a positive interpersonal climate, ethical accountability, commitment to the hierarchy of learning and research, and physical appearance and potency. Conclusion: Providing care to patients under anesthesia requires technical and critical skills that are inherently collaborative and multidisciplinary. Identifying current issues and trends concerning the competencies essential for a bachelor’s degree in anesthesia can improve future preparedness for professionals in this field.