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Abstract
Please confirm that an ethics committee approval has been applied for or granted: Not relevant
Background and Aims Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anaesthesia (UGRA) occupies a wider curriculum role, with UK anaesthetic trainees expected to independently perform a variety of blocks upon completing training. UGRA is challenging to master; high-quality feedback is vital in enabling skill acquisition(1). Retrospective Video Review (RVR) is associated with a flatter learning curve when learning procedural skills(2), but has yet to be evaluated in UGRA. We aimed to evaluate the feedback process and further improve it.
Methods We conducted a national survey evaluating UK anaesthetists’ attitudes and practices regarding feedback provision in UGRA training. Concurrently, we developed a feedback framework incorporating RVR of the ultrasound block video specifically performed by the trainee. This was trialled in a tertiary orthopaedic hospital as a Quality Improvement Project, with trainer-trainee pairs interviewed on their experience using this educational tool.
Results Of the 126 survey respondents, 62% were trainers and 38% were trainees. 36% of trainees were ambivalent/dissatisfied about feedback quality. Trainers were receptive to a feedback tool. Time taken to teach; clinical turnover; managing awake patients were barriers to feedback provision. 6 trainers and 4 trainees trialled the educational tool. Common themes included: greater objective evidence to base feedback on; increased discussion detail/quality (particularly with awake patients); benefits of checklist/structured approach.
UGRA feedback framework
Set up of video recording system
Perceived barriers to high-quality feedback
Conclusions This is the first national survey on UGRA feedback, and the first preliminary evaluation of RVR use incorporated into a UGRA feedback framework. There is further scope to develop our tool with the aim of validating it, such that it may be utilised widely to improve trainee-trainer experience.