[Importance of critical events training for anesthesiology residents: experience with computer simulator.]

Because of monitoring and drugs evolution, there has been a decrease in the incidence of critical events during anesthetic procedures. Despite this low frequency, critical event training for Anesthesiology residents remains important. This study aimed at evaluating Anesthesiology residents' critical care skills during computer-simulated anesthesia.

Seventeen anesthesiology residents (first and second year) and 5 anesthesiology instructors were evaluated. Using the Anesthesia Simulator Consultant (2.0 - 1995/Anesoft) simulations of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and anaphylactic reaction (AR) were performed. After simulation, results of each participant were printed and approaches to solve predetermined critical events were evaluated and scored. Participants have evaluated the simulator by filling out a questionnaire.

There were no significant differences in means obtained by groups, but there has been a trend toward better performance of second year residents and Anesthesiology instructors during VF simulation. There has been a trend toward better performance of Anesthesiology instructors during AR simulation.

Critical events management training should be the focus during residents and anesthesiologists training. Computer simulation could be a way to carry out such training.