Creation of Simulation-Based Curriculum of Perioperative Emergencies for Residents in Anesthesiology

Crisis management is difficult to practice and evaluate for resident learners and leadership given the rarity of these events in clinical practice. However, simulation provides a medium to bridge this gap. We identified a need for simulation in our anesthesiology residency program to help residents learn to treat perioperative emergencies.

To describe the process of curriculum development, content, and early outcomes of a simulation-based curriculum for the management of perioperative emergencies for all levels of anesthesiology learners.

Curriculum development began in the Spring of 2019 and simulations began in August 2019. All anesthesiology residents rotating at a single center through December 2020 were eligible. Each resident was given their own simulation scenario detailing a specific perioperative emergency and then debriefed as a group afterward. All residents participating in the scenario were given a post-simulation survey assessing the value of the educational experience, relevance to their level of training, and quality of learning environment.

Out of 90 eligible residents, 79 participated in the study (87%). Overall, 100% of participants completed the post-simulation survey; 100% of residents reported that the curriculum was useful to their education; 98% of residents reported that the curriculum was relevant to their training level; 99% of residents reported that the simulation was an engaging learning experience.

A simulation-based curriculum of perioperative emergencies for anesthesiology residents is feasible to implement, viewed as worthwhile by trainees, and can foster education in a different learning environment.