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Background and Aims Plan A blocks are widely accepted as being essential for trainee anaesthetists. Although RAUK previously published videos of the blocks being performed, they are outdated by 13 years. Our aim is to produce updated videos of the plan A blocks to help educate trainees, improving their confidence with regional anaesthesia.

Methods A survey was distributed to all anaesthetic trainees in Northern Ireland, assessing their confidence levels on a scale from 1 to 10 in performing each Plan A block independently. They were also asked if they felt the current training in regional anaesthesia was adequate and whether they felt locally produced instructional videos for the Plan A Blocks would be beneficial.

Results A total of 48 trainees responded. Mean confidence across all Plan A blocks was 4.6, core trainees scoring significantly lower (2.9) than speciality trainees (6.1). The mode of the data set was 1, representing 24% of responses. Trainees were least confident at interscalene (2.5), axillary (3.2), erector spinae plane (3.4) and rectus sheath (4.4). Trainees were most confident with femoral (7) followed by popliteal sciatic (5.8) then adductor canal (5.65). 75% of trainees felt that current educational resources were inadequate. 90% believed they would benefit from locally produced instructional videos.

Conclusions Trainees in Northern Ireland lack the requisite confidence to independently perform the Plan A blocks. As expected confidence increases as they progress through training but overall confidence at higher levels is still not adequate. The introduction of locally produced instructional videos may complement their current training and improve confidence levels.