title: Use of a high-fidelity simulator to develop testing of the technical performance of novice anaesthetists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We used the Delphi technique to gain a consensus from 26 consultant anaesthetists about technical tasks during general anaesthesia. We then developed a technical scoring system to assess anaesthetists undertaking general anaesthesia with rapid sequence induction.
  
  
  METHODS
  We then followed the performance of six novice anaesthetists on five occasions during their first 3 months of training. At each, visit each novice 'anaesthetized' the Human Patient Simulator at Bristol Medical Simulator Centre. For comparison seven post-fellowship anaesthetists were scored on one occasion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Novice scores improved significantly over the 12-week period (P<0.01). A significant difference was also found between the final novice scores and the post-fellowship subjects (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that simulation can be used to observe and quantify technical performance.
authors: Sir Humphry Davy Department of Anaesthesia, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors: F C
authors: FC
authors: Forrest
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Taylor
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Postlethwaite
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Aspinall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000592:standards*; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D018961:Educational Technology; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis