A systematic review of short courses for nonspecialist education in intensive care

The availability of reliable and accessible educational material for the training of nonspecialist intensive care physicians is potentially advantageous. We assessed the availability, cost, and content of generic short courses designed to teach basic critical care skills to junior physicians or nonspecialist intensive care physicians taking up duties in intensive care units.

A PubMed and Internet searches were conducted to identify and compare short courses that provide a curriculum similar to that proposed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists for resident training purposes. Course material available should allow the short course to be conducted independently by third parties.

Two courses, Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care and Fundamental Critical Care Support, met most of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists curriculum requirements and can be independently conducted by third parties.

Both identified courses use a mixture self-learning, didactic lectures, and experiential learning using manikins and "minisimulations." Organizing bodies provide administrative support and can readily be located and contacted online. Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care charges no license fee, whereas Fundamental Critical Care Support offers fees at a reduced rate for developing countries. Both courses are recognized and conducted internationally.