Application for ESRA Abstract Prizes: I apply as an Anesthesiologist (Aged 35 years old or less)

Background and Aims Neuraxial anaesthesia is a core skill in anaesthetic training and of the first techniques learned by trainees. It has been documented that a combination of lecture and simulation-enhanced training improves trainees’ performance on real-life situations.

Methods As part of a teaching programme consisting on multiple workshops for first-year trainees in anaesthesiology, we developed two 2-hour workshops on neuraxial anaesthesia. One focused on spinal anaesthesia, and another one on epidural anaesthesia. The former is undertaken before starting their global anaesthesia training and the latter before the specific obstetrics rotation. Both consist on a brief theoretical introduction followed by an hour of practice on high fidelity commercial mannequins. Trainees also participate in a simulated case scenario to practice communication skills and the suitability of the performance of a neuraxial technique. The case on spinal anaesthesia simulates an operation room situation, while the case on epidural anaesthesia consists on delivering epidural anaesthesia for labour pain. Both workshops conclude with a discussion on the case scenario and a wrap-up debriefing. Finally, a survey regarding workshop satisfaction is sent through e-mail to all trainees.

Results First-year trainees on anaesthesiology at our centre fulfil both workshops. Surveys indicate a high degree of satisfaction (9,4/10). Trainees believe goals are well defined (9,5/10), they believe it is necessary in their training (9,8/10) and they would recommend it to their peers (9,7/10).

Conclusions Our workshops fulfil the role on teaching trainees how to perform neuraxial anaesthesia and giving them a first exposure to a real-life situation with a simulated case scenario.