Use of a high-fidelity simulator to develop testing of the technical performance of novice anaesthetists.
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.
Forrest
F C
FC
Sir Humphry Davy Department of Anaesthesia, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.
Taylor
M A
MA
Postlethwaite
K
K
Aspinall
R
R
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