Learner and educator experiences and priorities in paediatric airway education: A qualitative study.

Paediatric airway management is a challenging area of anaesthesia practice to learn. Techniques and skills required need modification from adult practice and gaining experience through exposure takes considerable time. Preparation to manage airway emergencies can be particularly difficult as these events are rare in paediatric practice. This study aimed to examine what educational approaches health professionals of varying backgrounds find useful when learning or teaching paediatric airway management. This qualitative study involved the conduct of five interdisciplinary focus groups; each group consisted of four to six health professionals from nursing, anaesthetic, simulation and critical care backgrounds. After transcription, focus group content was analysed using a qualitative method to identify common themes expressed within the interviews. Five themes were most prominent. These included the high value of hands-on learning, the challenges created by variability in exposure, the importance of developing basic airway skills, the potential for simulation to cover rare situations, and the problems of current airway models. These themes were evident in comments from both experienced and novice practitioners, clinicians with different subspecialty backgrounds and both medical and nursing staff. Learners and educators have similar priorities in airway education. This includes a strong recognition of the importance of spending time mastering basic airway techniques, a role for simulation in building non-technical skills and noted deficiencies in current airway models.

Cochlear implant and vestibular function.

OBJECTIVES: To document incidences of vestibular dysfunction after cochlear implantation and investigate why it occurs. This work was also motivated by a desire to provide the basis for better preoperative counseling and postoperative vestibular therapy to cochlear implant patients. SETTING: Melbourne Cochlear Implant Clinic at a tertiary referral hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PATIENTS: One hundred forty-six adult implant recipients, mean age, 60 years (range, 20-90 yr). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative vestibular disturbance was defined as symptoms lasting for 1 week or longer after surgery. The differences in preoperative and postoperative vestibular function were measured from subjective assessments (Dizziness Handicap Inventory and Activity Balance Confidence questionnaires) and objective assessments (bithermal caloric tests). The position of the postoperative electrode was classified as "loose", "regular", or "tight" fitting. RESULTS: Thirty-two percent of patients reported vestibular disturbance and had poorer Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Activity Balance Confidence, and caloric results in the implanted ear after surgery. Patient age, cause, and preoperative caloric result did not predict postoperative vestibular symptoms. Recipients aged 70 years or older had significantly poorer caloric results on the implanted side after surgery that was not related to the intracochlear electrode position or surgical team. CONCLUSION: One-third of recipients can expect to experience a significant vestibular disturbance after surgery, regardless of age, cause, or preoperative caloric result. "Older" ears seem more prone to permanent injury after cochlear implantation.