Defining competence in obstetric epidural anaesthesia for inexperienced trainees

E. J. Drake*, J. Coghill, J. R. Sneyd

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Background: Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis has been used for assessing competence of trainees learning new technical skills. One of its disadvantages is the required definition of acceptable and unacceptable success rates. We therefore monitored the development of competence amongst trainees new to obstetric epidural anaesthesia in a large public hospital. Methods: Obstetric epidural data were collected prospectively between January 1996 and December 2011. Success rates for inexperienced trainees were calculated retrospectively for (1) the whole database, (2) for each consecutive attempt and (3) each trainee's individual overall success rate. Acceptable and unacceptable success rates were defined and CUSUM graphs generated for each trainee. Competence was assessed for each trainee and the number of attempts to reach competence recorded. Results: Mean (SD) success rate for all inexperienced trainees was 76.8 (0.1%), range 63-90%. Consecutive attempt success rate produced a learning curve with a mean success rate commencing at 58% on attempt 1. After attempt 10 the attempt number had no effect on subsequent success rates. From these results, the acceptable and unacceptable success rateswere set at 65 and 55% respectively. CUSUM graphs demonstrated 76 out of 81 trainees competent after a mean of 46 (22) attempts. Conclusions: CUSUM is useful for assessing trainee epidural competence. Trainees require approximately 50 attempts, as defined by CUSUM, to reach competence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)951-957
Number of pages7
JournalBritish Journal of Anaesthesia
Volume114
Issue number6
Early online date23 Mar 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2015
EventBritish Journal of Anaesthesia -
Duration: 23 Mar 2015 → …

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Keywords

  • Anesthesia regional
  • Competence
  • Epidural
  • Learning curves
  • Obstetric

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