A Phantom-Based Curriculum for Teaching and Assessing Ultrasound Neuraxial Skills in Pediatric Anesthesia Trainees:...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Medical Simulation
• Regional Anesthesia
• Ultrasound-Guided Procedures

Background:

• Limited opportunities exist for pediatric anesthesia trainees to practice ultrasound-guided/assisted (USGA) neuraxial techniques due to patient risk and anatomical variations.
• Simulation-based education provides a safe and effective alternative for developing competence in these complex procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation-enhanced curriculum using a pediatric spine phantom for training pediatric anesthesia trainees in USGA neuraxial techniques.
• To assess the impact of the curriculum on knowledge, technical skills, comfort, and practice behaviors related to pediatric neuraxial ultrasound.

Main Methods:

• A curriculum was developed utilizing a validated pediatric spine phantom for hands-on training.
• Pediatric anesthesiology trainees (residents and fellows) participated in a workshop including online content, scanning sessions, and skills assessments.
• Knowledge, comfort, and practice behaviors were assessed using pre-, post-, and six-month follow-up quizzes, with statistical analysis including Bonferroni correction.

Main Results:

• Participants showed significant improvement in knowledge from pre- to post-workshop, with sustained retention at six months.
• All trainees achieved proficiency in critical neuraxial ultrasound views.
• Self-reported comfort and frequency of ultrasound use increased significantly and were maintained at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• A phantom-based simulation curriculum effectively improved and sustained pediatric regional anesthesia knowledge and technical skills in trainees.
• The educational model demonstrated durable learning gains, increased trainee confidence, and promoted the use of ultrasound in pediatric neuraxial procedures.
• This low-risk, reproducible approach can facilitate structured training and broader adoption of USGA neuraxial techniques in pediatric anesthesia.