title: Emergency airway management: training and experience of chief residents in otolaryngology and anesthesiology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Resident training in emergency airway management is not well described. We quantified training and exposure to airway emergencies among graduating Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Anesthesiology residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methods used for this study were a national web-based survey of chief residents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 52% (otolaryngology) and 60% (anesthesiology). More otolaryngology residents rotated on anesthesiology than anesthesia residents on otolaryngology (33% vs 8%). More anesthesiology chiefs never performed an emergency surgical airway than otolaryngology (92% vs 18%). The most common self-rating of competency was "9," with 82% overall self-rating "8" or higher (10 = "totally competent").
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Otolaryngology and anesthesiology emergency airway management experience/training is heterogeneous and nonstandardized. Many chief residents graduate with little exposure to airway emergencies, especially surgical airways. Resident confidence levels are high despite minimal experience. This high confidence-low experience dichotomy may reflect novice overconfidence and suggests the need for improved training methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Cheryl C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Nocon
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: Jayant M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Blair
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*