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Simulator-based Training in Paediatric Anaesthesia
- Mark G Way, Paul Spargo (11 May 2007)
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Simulators in paediatric anaesthesia
- George H Meakin (11 May 2007)
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Simulation is a leap forward
- Ramakrishnarao Rebbapragada (30 March 2007)
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Mark G Way , Paul Spargo
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Simulator-based Training in Paediatric Anaesthesia. The authors of the editorial about simulator-based training in paediatric anaesthesia stated that the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APA) has recently decided to implement standardized simulator-based scenarios as a compulsory part of training and assessment in paediatric anaesthesia of specialist registrars1. The newly published CCT in Anaesthesia2 3 manual makes no mention of simulator-based training in this context, nor does the APA website4. While we are supportive of simulator-based training, such a process would be very costly to implement. We should be most interested to know how far plans for the widespread introduction of simulator-based training and assessment in paediatric anaesthesia have progressed. Yours sincerely, Mark Way, MB ChB, FRCA, Specialist Registrar in Anaesthesia, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD. Paul Spargo, MB BS, MRCP, FRCA Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist, Southampton General Hospital. E mail: Mark Way at markgway@gmail.com Fax: 02380 794348 References: 1) Eich C, McFadzean J, Rowney D, Schwarz S. Simulator-based training in paediatric anaesthesia and emergency medicine – Thrills, skills and attitudes. Br J Anaesth 2007; 98 (4): 417-19 2) CCT in Anaesthesia III: Competency Based Specialist Registrar Years 1 and 2 Training and Assessment. A manual for trainees and trainers (January 2007). Available from www.rcoa.ac.uk accessed on 18th April, 2007 3) CCT in Anaesthesia IV: Competency Based Specialist Registrar Years 3, 4 and 5 Training and Assessment. A manual for trainees and trainers (January 2007). Available from www.rcoa.ac.uk accessed on 18th April, 2007 4) Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APA). Guidance on the Provision of Paediatric Anaesthetic Services. Available from www.apagbi.org.uk, 2005 accessed on 18th April, 2007 Conflict of Interest:None declared |
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George H Meakin
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Editor, The Council of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (APA) read with interest the recent editorial by Eich et al. regarding simulator-based training in paediatric anaesthesia.1 On the whole the arguments are sound, but we feel we must point out some important inaccuracies in the section describing the use of simulators in training specialist registrars in the United Kingdom. 1) While the APA have been enthusiastic to support the national collaborative project on paediatric simulation, it is not the body responsible for anaesthesia training and assessment in the UK as implied in this article. That body is the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), which sets standards with input from the specialist organisations. 2) The document “Guidance on the Provision of Paediatric Anaesthesia Services” has been incorrectly attributed to the APA both in the text and in reference 24. This document is a publication of the RCoA.2 3) In its document “Guidance on the Provision of Paediatric Anaesthesia Services” the RCoA recommends simulator training as part of the continuing education of consultants who do not anaesthetise children on a regular basis. There is no mention of the use of simulator training for specialist registrars in this document and, as far as the APA is aware, the RCoA has no immediate plans to make this a compulsory part of training and assessment in paediatric anaesthesia of specialist registrars. G H Meakin President, Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland Email: george.meakin@manchester.ac.uk 1. Eich C, Timmermann A, Russo SG, Nickel EA, McFadzean J, Rowney D, Schwarz SKW. Simulator-based training in paediatric anaesthesia and emergency medicine – Thrills, skills and attitudes. British Journal of Anaesthesia 2007; 98: 417-19 2. Guidance on the Provision of Paediatric Anaesthetic Services. In: Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthetic Services: London: The Royal College of Anaesthetists 2005; 36-42. Available from www.rcoa.ac.uk Conflict of Interest:None declared |
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Ramakrishnarao Rebbapragada, Consultant Anaesthetist Cambridge University Teaching Hospitals
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Training on a simulator should be made mandatory for all anaesthetic trainees before issuing Specialty Training Certificate. Simulator should be used to assess the competence of the trainees and anaesthetic consultants when there are issues relating to their performance. The shortening of training times and limited exposure to specialties creates anxiety when the future generations of anaesthetists have to work independently in DGHs. Consultant led, out of hours services need robustly trained anaesthetists if anaesthesia has to remain at the current level of excellence. Simulation is a great advance in medicine and it has to be used more extensively to improve and maintain the quality of anaesthetic care. For instance an extensive hands on training on realistic simulators can reduce the time spent by the anaesthetists in anaesthetic rooms. This will increase the throughput and reduce hospital costs as more operations can be done in the same theatre time. Experience can be gained by repeating hundreds of Spinals and Epidurals in spare time, arterial and central line cannulations, nerve blocks etc to reinforce the techniques learnt on patients. It is a bit scary when I see a number of anaesthetic consultats with no experience of Paediatric anaesthesia. The new generation of Paediatric realistic simulators could address this deficiency. Simulators should be available more extensively and even major DGHs should have them. Conflict of Interest:None declared |
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