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Pediatric Anesthesia Practice and Training in Ibero-America: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey
John Pirez1,2, Andrés Bacigalupo Landa3,4, Vinicius Caldeira Quintao5,6
1Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital de Clínicas, School of Medicine, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Paediatric Anaesthesia
|May 20, 2026
Summary
Pediatric anesthesia training in Ibero-America is inconsistent, with most anesthesiologists lacking formal preparation. Enhanced fellowship programs and clinical exposure are crucial for improving pediatric anesthesia care.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Medical Education
Background:
- Pediatric anesthesia training exhibits significant variability across Ibero-America.
- Many anesthesiologists provide care for children without specialized pediatric anesthesia preparation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pediatric anesthesia training patterns.
- To assess clinical exposure and practice characteristics in the region.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was administered to anesthesiologists in 21 Ibero-American countries.
- Analysis included data on training, clinical experience, case volume, and pediatric anesthesia techniques.
Main Results:
- Only 27.8% of 1416 respondents had formal pediatric anesthesia fellowship training; 72.2% learned through practice.
- Over half (56.6%) had less than 10 years of experience, and 41% dedicated ≤20% of clinical time to pediatric cases.
- Fellowship-trained physicians handled more pediatric cases and employed advanced techniques.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric anesthesia practice in Ibero-America is heterogeneous with limited structured training.
- There is a need to expand fellowship programs and increase sustained clinical exposure opportunities.
- These improvements are essential for ensuring safe anesthesia care for pediatric patients.
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