A survey of resuscitation training needs of senior anaesthetists

Resuscitation skills are a fundamental part of anaesthetic practice. Anaesthetists are involved in performing resuscitation and training of other staff in resuscitation techniques. However, very few senior anaesthetists attend the Resuscitation Council (UK)/European Resuscitation Council [RC (UK)/ERC] advanced life support (ALS) course. We have surveyed the views of consultant anaesthetists in one region of the UK. The results show that although they are involved in training, very few attend cardiac arrests. Most have not, and will not, attend the ALS course but would prefer shorter regular resuscitation updates, especially in those skills that they no longer use.