As part of a medical degree, students will have the exciting opportunity to be exposed to a variety of different types of surgeries. When entering the operating theatre for the first time, it can feel like a completely foreign and intimidating environment.

Research has shown that upon entering the operating theatre (OT), it is common for medical students to feel that there is an unclear message on learning objectives, fear of humiliation, anxiety, and lack of confidence (1).

Furthermore, the unique environment of the OT as well as limited preparation could also negatively affect the ability for students to learn and consume information.

As medical students who have been in the same situation, we have created this online resource to give some insight into how students can best prepare and make the most out of the time in the OT as this is an incredibly important aspect within the medical field.

We have gathered online research as well as sharing our own experiences of surgery, so that when medical students do enter this type of environment, they can feel calm, composed, and ready to learn. We hope you enjoy this online resource we have created and learn all the tips and tricks to guide and support you in your surgical placements. There is also a quiz at the end, which you can use to check your understanding!