Related Experiment Videos
Teaching intubation skills using newly deceased infants.
D G Benfield1, R J Flaksman, T H Lin
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Akron, Ohio 44308.
JAMA
|May 8, 1991
Summary
Most families consented to infant intubation for medical training, with consent linked to race and autopsy permission. Trainees reported mixed emotions but found the experience valuable for developing intubation skills.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Pediatric Training
Background:
- Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) face challenges in providing practical training for intubation.
- Ethical considerations and family consent are paramount when utilizing deceased infants for educational purposes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess family consent rates for infant intubation for teaching in a tertiary NICU.
- To identify factors influencing family consent.
- To evaluate the impact of this training on resident physicians and respiratory therapists.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study design over a 10-month period.
- Requesting family consent for intubation of newly deceased infants.
- Administering questionnaires to trainees post-intubation experience.
Main Results:
- Consent was obtained for 73% of requested cases (32 out of 44).
- White families were more likely to consent than Black families; consent correlated positively with autopsy permission.
- 75% of trainees found the experience helpful, reporting a range of emotions including apprehension and appreciation.
Conclusions:
- Newly deceased infants can serve as a valuable resource for teaching intubation skills.
- Healthcare institutions should be mindful of trainees' emotional responses and provide support.
- Establishing clear protocols for consent and debriefing is crucial for such educational initiatives.