Delegation in paediatric anaesthesia: a postal survey

We wished to determine a consensus view from UK paediatric anaesthetic consultants of what practical skills are safe and appropriate for an anaesthetic trainee to perform during an initial 3-month module in paediatric anaesthesia.

A postal survey was sent to all UK and Ireland members of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists (APA). This questionnaire was designed to determine which tasks were delegated to trainee anaesthetists. Two hundred and four questionnaires were despatched, replies were received from 165 consultant anaesthetists (80% response rate).

More than 50% of the APA respondents would always or regularly allow an anaesthetic trainee in their first 3-month module in paediatric anaesthesia to perform; an ilioinguinal block, a penile block and a caudal (but not in a neonate).

Anaesthetic registrars undertaking an initial module in paediatric anaesthesia should learn basic airway management, ilioinguinal blocks, penile blocks and caudals (but not neonatal caudals).