Regional anesthesia training model for resource-limited settings: a prospective single-center observational study...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anesthesiology
• Global Health

Background:

• Provider shortages in resource-limited settings (RLS) necessitate sustainable educational solutions.
• Regional anesthesia curricula for RLS are infrequently described, highlighting a gap in training resources.
• The Global Regional Anesthesia Curricular Engagement (GRACE) program was developed to address this need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a reproducible regional anesthesia training model (GRACE) for RLS.
• To implement the GRACE curriculum in a hospital in Ghana.
• To measure the training and practice-based outcomes of GRACE implementation.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, single-center observational study with pre-post evaluations was conducted.
• A needs assessment informed the development of a site-specific curriculum.
• The curriculum included didactic lectures, simulations, and clinical instruction on ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs).

Main Results:

• Trainee satisfaction with the GRACE program was high.
• Median knowledge examination scores significantly improved from 62.5% to 91.7% (p<0.001).
• Clinical examination pass rates increased from 28.6% to 85.7% (p<0.01), and PNB utilization grew substantially.

Conclusions:

• The GRACE program facilitated the design and implementation of a tailored regional anesthesia curriculum in an RLS hospital.
• The curriculum demonstrated positive outcomes according to Kirkpatrick's evaluation levels.
• GRACE offers a reproducible model for enhancing regional anesthesia training and practice in resource-limited settings.