Simulation-Based Medical Education and Training Enhance Anesthesia Residents' Proficiency in Erector Spinae Plane...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anesthesiology
• Regional Anesthesia

Background:

• Ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks are a key advancement in regional anesthesia.
• Effective administration of local anesthetics via these blocks requires specialized training for residents.
• Simulation-based medical education and training (SBET) shows promise for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a 4-hour regional anesthesia training workshop using a simulator.
• To measure improvements in anesthesia residents' ability to perform an erector spinae plane (ESP) block.
• To assess the impact of simulation-based training on procedural efficiency and accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-two first-year anesthesia residents participated in a 4-hour workshop.
• Training included theoretical sessions, practical training on models, and simulator-based practice.
• Residents performed two erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks on the BlockSim simulator for comparison.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in time to perform the ESP block (131s to 68s, p < 0.001).
• Decreased number of needle insertions (3 to 2, p = 0.002) and improved accuracy of needle placement.
• High resident satisfaction (88%) and self-reported improvement in knowledge (94%) and technical skills (73%).

Conclusions:

• A 4-hour SBET course effectively enhances residents' UGRA skills.
• Simulation training reduces time and needle insertions for ESP blocks.
• SBET improves procedural accuracy and resident confidence in performing regional anesthesia.