Anesthesiologist Researchers Tackle Lack of Airway Management Training for Residents

Two pilot projects are tackling a lack of learning opportunities for anesthesiology residents in airway management, according to an Anesthesiology News report.

In one project, third- and fourth-year medical students with an interest in anesthesiology take part in an elective anesthesiology rotation with a focus on airway management. The rotation includes an initial two-week period that introduces residents to basic concepts in airway management through assigned readings and lectures, as well as a four-week rotation that simulates intubations and requires students to deliver an oral presentation developed with an anesthesiology mentor.

Crystal Jean-Louis, MD, a resident at the Department of Anesthesiology at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, presented this project at the 2011 annual meeting of the Society for Airway Management. Dr. Jean-Louis said she hopes students with an interest in anesthesiology will find it easier to transition to anesthesiology residency with early exposure to airway management.

In another project, a pilot program electronically documented the airway management experiences of anesthesiology residents and found that residents averaged only 28.3 intubations during a six-week period. The number of procedures ranged from eight to 48.

Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Dr. Conrad Murray's Anesthesiology Expert Found in Contempt of Court
Anesthesiologists Develop Guide for Transfer of ASC Patients With Malignant Hyperthermia
Influential Anesthesia Journals Less Likely to Publish Negative Results

© Copyright ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2012. Interested in LINKING to or REPRINTING this content? View our policies by clicking here.