Curriculum development for an advanced regional anesthesia education program: one institution's experience from...

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Medical Education
• Pain Management

Background:

• Practicing physicians often undertreat postoperative pain.
• Anesthesia residents lack confidence in performing less common nerve blocks.
• Current training models may not adequately prepare residents for diverse regional anesthesia practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an institution's development of a standardized, advanced regional anesthesia curriculum.
• To align resident training with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies.
• To improve resident competence and confidence in performing a broader spectrum of nerve blocks.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a curriculum including anatomy dissection, ultrasound, and nerve stimulation techniques.
• Incorporated problem-based learning, simulation, and journal clubs.
• Residents maintained logs of peripheral nerve block procedures performed.

Main Results:

• Resident knowledge in regional anesthesia significantly improved post-curriculum implementation.
• The program provided residents with experience to reach a competent level in regional anesthesia.
• Pre- and post-tests indicated measurable gains in resident understanding.

Conclusions:

• The developed advanced regional anesthesia program enhanced resident knowledge and skills.
• Standardized curricula are effective in improving regional anesthesia competence.
• Further validation of the program's reliability and usability is planned.