Wake up!: a novel, cadaver-based approach to training emergency physicians in awake intubation

Despite awake tracheal intubation being considered the safest method of intubation for patients with predicted difficult airways, there is limited evidence and poor availability of training interventions to assist emergency medicine physicians achieve competency in this technique. Here, we describe a novel, cadaver-based course for emergency medicine physicians to acquire skills in awake tracheal intubation. A convenience sample of 15 emergency medicine physicians from across Canada participated in the pilot course. Questionnaire data regarding the course's usefulness and participants' confidence in awake tracheal intubation were collected. All 15 participants completed the course, and questionnaire data showed that participants found the course useful and practice-changing. Three physicians reported successfully performing awake tracheal intubation in the emergency department during the 3-6-month follow-up period. Expansion of similar courses could help emergency medicine physicians acquire the skills necessary to safely perform awake tracheal intubation. Future studies should focus on optimizing training protocols, with a focus on practical methods to improve long-term skill retention.