Assessment of the Educational and Training Modalities in Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for Anesthesiologists.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been developed as a critical tool for diagnostic patient evaluation and clinical management. Its transcendence into anesthesiology necessitates appropriate and effective educational strategies to assist in the development of anesthesia POCUS learners. Several professional societies, including the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA), and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for anesthesiology have established minimum training standards for POCUS education for anesthesiologists, residents, and fellows.1,4 The article at hand aims to summarize and provide insight into the various educational modalities utilized in POCUS training, incorporate these strategies in the established "Indication, Acquisition, Interpretation, and Medical decision-making" (I-AIM) framework, and include recommendations on the minimum number of POCUS exams to aid in achieving competency. 3.

The Anesthesiology Milestones 2.0: An Improved Competency-Based Assessment for Residency Training.

The evolution of medical education, from a time-based to a competency-based platform, began nearly 30 years ago and continues to slowly take shape. The development of valid and reproducible assessment tools is the first step. Medical educators across specialties acknowledge the challenges and remain motivated to develop a relevant, generalizable, and measurable system. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) remains committed to its responsibility to the public by assuring that the process and outcome of graduate medical education in the nation's residency programs produce competent, safe, and compassionate doctors. The Milestones Project is the ACGME's current strategy in the evolution to a competency-based system, which allows each specialty to develop its own set of subcompetencies and 5-level progression, or milestones, along a continuum of novice to expert. The education community has now had nearly 5 years of experience with these rubrics. While not perfect, Milestones 1.0 provided important foundational information and insights. The first iteration of the Anesthesiology Milestones highlighted some mismatch between subcompetencies and current and future clinical practices. They have also highlighted challenges with assessment and evaluation of learners, and the need for faculty development tools. Committed to an iterative process, the ACGME assembled representatives from stakeholder groups within the Anesthesiology community to develop the second generation of Milestones. This special article describes the foundational data from Milestones 1.0 that was useful in the development process of Milestones 2.0, the rationale behind the important changes, and the additional tools made available with this iteration.

The First Cardiac Anesthesiology Fellow, William A. Lell: A Brief History.

Fifty years ago, on August 1, 1971, William A. Lell became the first cardiac anesthesia fellow at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Department of Anesthesiology, training with the world's first group of anesthesiologists whose clinical practice, teaching, and research efforts were exclusively devoted to cardiac anesthesia. Lell's early interest in cardiovascular medicine and how mentors, particularly at the MGH, influenced his early career development are recounted. The challenges a young pioneer faced in establishing and maintaining an academic cardiac anesthesia program during the initial and rapid growth of an exciting new subspecialty are described. Dr Lell's experience emphasizes the importance of seizing new opportunities and establishing meaningful working relationships with colleagues based on mutual trust as fundamental to successful career development and research in a new medical subspecialty.

Modernizing Education of the Pediatric Anesthesiologist.

This article discusses modernizing the education of pediatric anesthesiologists in the United States. First, the current education requirements to become an American Board of Anesthesiology certified pediatric anesthesiologist are detailed and then, through a historical lens, the development of the subspecialty is examined. Gaps and challenges in the current training system are identified and interventions for improvement discussed. Additionally, suggestions are made and questions posed on how to move from a time-based model towards a competency-based curriculum.

Interruption of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology (EACTA) Fellowship Program During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Consequences and Solutions.

This article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the EACTA fellowship program. The authors present three points that in their view are important and give cause for concern because they could make it difficult or impossible to achieve the original goals of the fellowship program. Corresponding points are discussed and possible solutions are presented. An implementation in the fellowship curriculum is planned.

Development of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination as a Component of Assessment for Initial Board Certification in Anesthesiology.

With its first administration of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in 2018, the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) became the first US medical specialty certifying board to incorporate this type of assessment into its high-stakes certification examination system. The fundamental rationale for the ABA's introduction of the OSCE is to include an assessment that allows candidates for board certification to demonstrate what they actually "do" in domains relevant to clinical practice. Inherent in this rationale is that the OSCE will capture competencies not well assessed in the current written and oral examinations-competencies that will allow the ABA to judge whether a candidate meets the standards expected for board certification more properly. This special article describes the ABA's journey from initial conceptualization through first administration of the OSCE, including the format of the OSCE, the process for scenario development, the standardized patient program that supports OSCE administration, examiner training, scoring, and future assessment of reliability, validity, and impact of the OSCE. This information will be beneficial to both those involved in the initial certification process, such as residency graduate candidates and program directors, and others contemplating the use of high-stakes summative OSCE assessments.

Self-assessment of Skills by Surgeons and Anesthesiologists After a Trauma Surgery Masterclass.

BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, each year a three-day international multidisciplinary trauma masterclass is organized to provide the knowledge and skills needed to care for critically injured trauma patients. This study was designed to longitudinally evaluate the effect of the course on participant's self-assessment of their own ability and confidence to perform general and specific skills. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2016, all participants were invited to complete a questionnaire before and during follow-up. Participants were asked to self-assess their level of confidence to perform general skills (communication, teamwork, leadership) and specific skills. Mean scores were calculated, and mixed models were used to evaluate correlation. RESULTS: We asked 265 participants to participate. Response rate was 64% for the pre-questionnaire, 63% for the post-questionnaire and for 3 months, 1 year and 2 years, respectively, 40%, 30%, 20%. The surgical group showed a statistically significant increase in self-assessed confidence for general skills (3.82-4.20) and specific technical skills (3.01-3.83; p < 0.001). In the anesthetic group, self-assessed confidence increased significantly in general skills (3.72-4.26) and specific technical skills (3.33-4.08; p < 0.001). For both groups statistical significance remained during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a sustained positive effect of a dedicated multidisciplinary trauma training curriculum on participant's self-assessed confidence to perform both general and specific technical skills necessary for the care of injured patients. Given the known association between confidence and competence, these findings provide evidence that dedicated trauma training curricula can provide positive lasting results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This is a basic science paper and therefore does not require a level of evidence.

An international survey about rapid sequence intubation of 10,003 anaesthetists and 16 airway experts.

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric content is a significant cause of anaesthesia-related morbidity and mortality. High-quality prospective randomised evidence to support prevention strategies, such as rapid sequence intubation, is difficult to generate due to well-described practical, ethical and methodological barriers. We aimed to generate an understanding of worldwide practice through surveying clinically practicing anaesthetists and airway experts. Our survey was designed to assess the influence of: departmental standards; patient factors; socio-economic factors; training; and supervision. We surveyed 10,003 anaesthetists who responded to an invitation to participate on LinkedIn. We then surveyed 16 international airway experts on the same content. When asked about a hypothetical patient with intestinal obstruction, respondents expressed preferences for [OR (95%CI)]: the head-up or -down position 4.26 (3.98-4.55), p < 0.001; nasogastric tube insertion 29.5 (26.9-32.3), p < 0.001; and the use of cricoid force 2.80 (2.62-3.00), p < 0.001, as compared with a hypothetical patient without intestinal obstruction also requiring rapid sequence intubation. Respondents from lower income countries were more likely to prefer [OR (95%CI]: the supine position 2.33 (2.00-2.63), p < 0.001; nasogastric tube insertion 1.29 (1.09-1.51), p = 0.002; and cricoid force application 2.54 (2.09-3.09), p < 0.001 as compared with respondents from higher income countries for a hypothetical patient with intestinal obstruction. This survey, which we believe is the largest of its kind, demonstrates that preferences for positioning, nasogastric tube use and cricoid force application during rapid sequence intubation vary substantially. Achieving agreed consensus may yield better training in the principles of rapid sequence intubation.

Recommendations From the Society for the Advancement of Transplant Anesthesiology: Liver Transplant Anesthesiology Fellowship Core Competencies and Milestones.

Liver transplantation is a complex procedure performed on critically ill patients with multiple comorbidities, which requires the anesthesiologist to be facile with complex hemodynamics and physiology, vascular access procedures, and advanced monitoring. Over the past decade, there has been a continuing debate whether or not liver transplant anesthesia is a general or specialist practice. Yet, as significant data have come out in support of dedicated liver transplant anesthesia teams, there is not a guarantee of liver transplant exposure in domestic residencies. In addition, there are no standards for what competencies are required for an individual seeking fellowship training in liver transplant anesthesia. Using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education guidelines for residency training as a model, the Society for the Advancement of Transplant Anesthesia Fellowship Committee in conjunction with the Liver Transplant Anesthesia Fellowship Task Force has developed the first proposed standardized core competencies and milestones for fellowship training in liver transplant anesthesiology.

Impact of anesthesiologist's fellowship status on the risk of general anesthesia for unplanned cesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND: Neuraxial analgesia is preferred over general anesthesia for cesarean delivery (CD), particularly in the presence of a labor epidural catheter. We hypothesize that care by a non-obstetric anesthesiologist as compared to care by an obstetric anesthesiologist is associated with a higher risk for use of general anesthesia for CD for patients with a preexisting labor epidural catheter. METHODS: To determine whether fellowship status of the covering anesthesiologist was a risk factor for general anesthesia, we retrospectively investigated the rate of general anesthesia use in patients with epidural catheters placed for labor analgesia who subsequently required CD. To standardize the practice environment under which these cases occurred, we examined only cases which occurred during coverage by the call team on nights, weekends, and holidays. RESULTS: There were 1820 cases in which a patient had epidural labor analgesia followed by a CD. Nine hundred and twelve cases were covered by an obstetric anesthesiologist and 908 cases were covered by a non-obstetric anesthesiologist. General anesthesia was used in only 16 of these cases. General anesthesia was more likely to be performed by non-obstetric fellowship trained anesthesiologists (1.54% or 14/908 compared to 0.22% or 2/912; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation suggests that the presence of an obstetric fellowship-trained anesthesiologist may be a predictor of decreased rate of general anesthesia use in patients with preexisting indwelling labor epidural catheters.

Twenty Years of Collaboration Between Belgium and Benin in Training Anesthesiologists for Africa.

Belgium has been collaborating for 20 years with Abomey-Calavi University in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, to train anesthesiologists for Sub-Saharan, French-speaking African countries. With 123 graduates from 15 countries and 46 residents still in training, this program has succeeded in reversing the trend of a decreasing anesthesiology workforce in those countries, thus improving the quality of anesthesia and patient safety. Belgian government sources, as well as hospitals and anesthesia teams, provided most of the financial resources. Reasons for success, positive outcomes, and shortcomings are discussed, as well as future perspectives and threats. Failure to enroll enough female residents (15%) and brain drain (18% of alumni) are of concern. Alumni are capable of importing and adapting modern technology and practice. Graduates increase the impact of the Cotonou program by getting involved in teaching nonphysician anesthesia providers and by supporting new anesthesiology training programs being launched in several countries. Other African countries with training programs, by following this example, could accelerate anesthesiology progress by accepting foreign residents from the region. The role of anesthesiologists as anesthesia team leaders must be better defined, and residency training programs adapted accordingly. Continuing international support remains of critical importance, especially in the form of resident rotations to high-income countries. The development of structured anesthesiology programs should be encouraged by African governments as developing anesthesia is a prerequisite for surgical development in every discipline.

Use, Training, and Opinions About Effectiveness of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Adult Liver Transplantation Among Anesthesiologists in the United States.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Describe transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) use, preparatory training and opinions about clinical importance, and future training pathways in a sample of liver transplant anesthesiologists. DESIGN: Online survey questionnaire. SETTING: Liver Transplant Centers in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Director of Liver Transplant Anesthesia or designated alternate respondent. RESULTS: A total of 79 Directors or alternates from 111 (71%) centers were identified. There were 56 responses (71%) representing 433 transplant anesthesiologists who cared for 63.3% of liver transplant cases performed in 2015. Basic TEE certification was reported more frequently (64%) than advanced (53.6%). At least one team member used TEE in over 90% of responding centers. Most respondents (83.9%) agreed TEE provided unique and valuable clinical information but were equally divided about future training pathways (on the job learning vs basic TEE certification). CONCLUSION: TEE use in liver transplantation is growing with a substantial increase in basic TEE certified users. Transplant anesthesiologists support basic certification but an equal number believe there should be more applied training at the site of care.

Predictors of Use of Monitored Anesthesia Care for Outpatient Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in a Capitated Payment System.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Use of monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for gastrointestinal endoscopy has increased in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) as in fee-for-service environments, despite the absence of financial incentives. We investigated factors associated with use of MAC in an integrated health care delivery system with a capitated payment model. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using multilevel logistic regression, with MAC use modeled as a function of procedure year, patient- and provider-level factors, and facility effects. We collected data from 2,091,590 veterans who underwent outpatient esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy during fiscal years 2000-2013 at 133 facilities. RESULTS: The adjusted rate of MAC use in the VHA increased 17% per year (odds ratio for increase, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.27) from fiscal year 2000 through 2013. The most rapid increase occurred starting in 2011. VHA use of MAC was associated with patient-level factors that included obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, higher comorbidity, and use of prescription opioids and/or benzodiazepines, although the magnitude of these effects was small. Provider-level and facility factors were also associated with use of MAC, although again the magnitude of these associations was small. Unmeasured facility-level effects had the greatest effect on the trend of MAC use. CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective study of veterans who underwent outpatient esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy from fiscal year 2000 through 2013, we found that even in a capitated system, patient factors are only weakly associated with use of MAC. Facility-level effects are the most prominent factor influencing increasing use of MAC. Future studies should focus on better defining the role of MAC and facility and organizational factors that affect choice of endoscopic sedation. It will also be important to align resources and incentives to promote appropriate allocation of MAC based on clinically meaningful patient factors.

Impact of a pediatric anesthesiologist on operating room efficiency during pediatric tonsillectomies and adenotonsillectomies.

We conducted a retrospective case review to determine if the presence of an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologist improves efficiency during pediatric tonsillectomies and adenotonsillectomies in hospitals that do not have dedicated pediatric operating rooms and, if so, to determine which specific anesthesia practices might account for such a difference. We reviewed the charts of all patients aged 12 years and younger who had undergone a tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy from Jan. 1, 2008, through Aug. 1, 2013, at San Francisco General Hospital. A total of 75 cases met our eligibility criteria. We compiled information on patient demographics, surgical time, anesthesia time, and anesthesia practices. Our primary study outcome was the amount of anesthesia-controlled time (ACT), which is the sum of time spent in induction and emergence. Cases were grouped according to whether the operation was staffed by an ACGME fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologist or a general anesthesiologist. Data were analyzed for 1 pediatric anesthesiologist and 23 general anesthesiologists. We found that ACT was significantly shorter during the cases staffed by the ACGME fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologist, although there were no major differences in anesthesia practices between the types of anesthesiologist. We suggest that staffing pediatric tonsillectomy operations with a fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiologist may be an effective strategy for increasing operating room efficiency.

Anesthesiologists and Disaster Medicine: A Needs Assessment for Education and Training and Reported Willingness to Respond.

BACKGROUND: Anesthesiologists provide comprehensive health care across the emergency department, operating room, and intensive care unit. To date, anesthesiologists' perspectives regarding disaster medicine and public health preparedness have not been described. METHODS: Anesthesiologists' thoughts and attitudes were assessed via a Web-based survey at 3 major academic institutions. Frequencies, percentages, and odds ratios (ORs) were used to assess self-reported perceptions of knowledge and skills, as well as attitudes and beliefs regarding education and training, employee development, professional obligation, safety, psychological readiness, efficacy, personal preparedness, and willingness to respond (WTR). Three representative disaster scenarios (natural disaster [ND], radiological event [RE], and pandemic influenza [PI]) were investigated. Results are reported as percent or OR (95% confidence interval). RESULTS: Participants included 175 anesthesiology attendings (attendings) and 95 anesthesiology residents (residents) representing a 47% and 51% response rate, respectively. A minority of attendings indicated that their hospital provides adequate pre-event preparation and training (31% [23-38] ND, 14% [9-21] RE, and 40% [31-49] PI). Few residents felt that their residency program provided them with adequate preparation and training (22% [14-33] ND, 16% [8-27] RE, and 17% [9-29] PI). Greater than 85% of attendings (89% [84-94] ND, 88% [81-92] RE, and 87% [80-92] PI) and 70% of residents (81% [71-89] ND, 71% [58-81] RE, and 82% [70-90] PI) believe that their hospital or residency program, respectively, should provide them with preparation and training. Approximately one-half of attendings and residents are confident that they would be safe at work during response to a ND or PI (55% [47-64] and 58% [49-67] of attendings; 59% [48-70] and 48% [35-61] of residents, respectively), whereas approximately one-third responded the same regarding a RE (31% [24-40] of attendings and 28% [18-41] of residents). Fewer than 40% of attendings (34% [26-43]) and residents (38% [27-51]) designated who would take care of their family obligations in the event they were called into work during a disaster. Regardless of severity, 79% (71-85) of attendings and 73% (62-82) of residents indicated WTR to a ND, whereas 81% (73-87) of attendings and 70% (58-81) of residents indicated WTR to PI. Fewer were willing to respond to a RE (63% [55-71] of attendings and 52% [39-64] of residents). In adjusted logistic regression analyses, those anesthesiologists who reported knowing one's role in response to a ND (OR, 15.8 [4.5-55.3]) or feeling psychologically prepared to respond to a ND (OR, 6.9 [2.5-19.0]) were found to be more willing to respond. Similar results were found for RE and PI constructs. Both attendings and residents were willing to respond in whatever capacity needed, not specifically to provide anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Few anesthesiologists reported receiving sufficient education and training in disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Providing education and training and enhancing related employee services may further bolster WTR and help to build a more capable and effective medical workforce for disaster response.

Loss of resistance: A randomised controlled trial assessing four low-fidelity epidural puncture simulators.

BACKGROUND: Detecting loss of resistance (LOR) can either be taught with dedicated simulators, with a cost ranging from &OV0556;1500 to 3000, or with the 'Greengrocer's Model', requiring simply a banana. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare three dedicated epidural puncture training simulators and a banana in their ability to simulate LOR. Our hypothesis was that there was a difference between the four simulators when comparing the detection of LOR. DESIGN: Single-blinded, randomised, controlled study. SETTING: Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-five consultant anaesthesiologists. INTERVENTIONS: The participants were asked to insert an epidural catheter in four different epidural puncture training simulators: Lumbar Puncture Simulator II (Kyoto Kagaku, Kyoto, Japan), Lumbar Epidural Injection Trainer (Erler-Zimmer, Lauf, Germany), Normal Adult Lumbar Puncture/Epidural Tissue (Simulab Corp., Seattle, Washington, USA) and a banana. The simulators were placed in identical boxes to blind the participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the detection of LOR rated on a 100-mm visual analogue scale, in which 0 mm represented 'completely unrealistic' and 100 mm represented 'indistinguishable from a real patient'. RESULTS: The mean visual analogue scale scores for LOR in the four simulators were significantly different: 60 ±â€Š25 mm [95% confidence interval (CI), 55 to 65 mm], 50 ±â€Š29 mm (95% CI, 44 to 55 mm), 64 ±â€Š24 mm (95% CI, 58 to 69 mm) and 49 ±â€Š32 mm (95% CI, 44 to 54 mm); P less than 0.001, Friedman test. CONCLUSION: Two of the three dedicated epidural simulators were rated more realistic in detecting LOR than the banana, but some participants preferred the banana to the other three simulators. Given the relative cost of a banana compared with a dedicated simulator, we suggest that a banana be used to teach the technique of LOR for epidural puncture. TRIAL REGISTRATION: KEK Nr: Req-2015-z087.

Preprocedural ultrasound assessment does not improve trainee performance of spinal anesthesia for obstetrical patients: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of additional information from preprocedure ultrasound examination to aid anesthesiology trainees performing spinal anesthesia for obstetric patients. DESIGN: Trainee residents were randomly allocated to landmark technique and anatomy demonstration via ultrasound examination or landmark technique only for spinal anesthetic placement. SETTING: Obstetric delivery suite. PATIENTS: Eighty healthy obstetric patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery. INTERVENTION: Ultrasound examination prior to spinal anesthetic placement. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was the number of attempts for the spinal anesthetic. Secondary outcomes included placement duration; block height; and the incidence of need for staff intervention, paresthesia, and bloody tap. Subjective ease of placement was rated on a 100-mm visual analog scale. MAIN RESULTS: Baseline demographic data were similar between the patient groups. The median number of attempts with preprocedure ultrasound and landmark was 3 (interquartile range, 2-7). This was not significantly different from the number of attempts with landmark technique only of 3 (1-60) (P=.69). The median duration of spinal placement with ultrasound and landmark was 92 (51-140) seconds vs 75 (53-126) seconds with landmark only (P=.57). There was no statistical difference between the groups in spinal placement duration, need for staff intervention, paresthesia, bloody tap, lumbar interspace, or block height. There was no difference in subjective ease of spinal placement by the resident. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of junior anesthesia trainees performing obstetrical spinal anesthesia with preprocedure ultrasound and landmark technique or landmark technique only, no significant difference was observed in the number of attempts, duration of spinal placement, subjective ease of spinal placement, or any other measured secondary outcome.

Evolving healthcare delivery paradigms and the optimization of 'value' in anesthesiology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Healthcare worldwide is evolving to yield enhanced care provided at a lowered cost. Patient-centric paradigms that hasten surgical recovery and strengthen collaboration amongst medical professionals are gaining impetus. This review will discuss the changing healthcare landscape and outline its implications on anesthesiology practice. RECENT FINDINGS: Anesthesiologists must be nimble and versatile as they adapt to healthcare redesign. An increased responsibility for patient outcomes should be embraced by extending the breadth and depth of clinical practice throughout the surgical care continuum. The perioperative surgical home and enhanced recovery after surgery provide paradigms to further integrate expanding clinical opportunities and improved patient outcomes. Investment is needed in perioperative medical education and research efforts to best position anesthesiologists for success both now and in the future. SUMMARY: Exemplifying opportunities to demonstrate value-added care, the scope of anesthesiology education and clinical practice should diversify to further integrate perioperative care of surgical patients.