The development of postgraduate anaesthesia and intensive care training at the University of the West Indies / Desarrollo de la anestesia de postgrado y entrenamiento en cuidados intensivos en la Universidad de West Indies

The one-year Diploma in Anaesthetics (DA) was the first postgraduate programme offered by the then Faculty of Medicine of The University of the West Indies (UWI). It was instituted in 1966, when the need for trained physician anaesthetists became paramount. Over 200 physicians have been awarded the DA which was discontinued in 1994. The four-year Doctor of Medicine in Anaesthetics [DM (Anaesthetics)] was commenced in 1974 and continues to train most of the region's physician anaesthetists. The majority of the 119 graduates (as of December 2011) are providing invaluable services to the people of the Caribbean. The time has come for the establishment of a regional certifying body, the Caribbean College of Anaesthetists. This college would determine the standards for the training and clinical practice of anaesthetists as perioperative physicians including: the conduct of anaesthesia, critical care, acute and chronic pain management. It would also facilitate continuing medical education and recertification of all practising anaesthetists within the region.

El Diploma en Anestesia (DA) de un año fue el primer programa de postgrado ofrecido por la entonces Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de West Indies. Este diplomado se instituyó en 1966, cuando se hizo patente la necesidad de médicos anestesistas entrenados. Más de 200 médicos han recibido el DA, que fue discontinuado en 1994. El programa de Doctor Especialista en Anestesia, comenzó en 1974 y continúa entrenando a la mayoría de anestesiólogos de la región. La mayor parte de los 119 graduados (a partir de diciembre 2011) están proporcionando servicios inestimables a las personas del Caribe. Ya es hora de establecer un organismo de certificación - el Colegio de Anestesistas del Caribe. Dicho colegio determinaría las normas para el entrenamiento y la práctica clínica de los anestesistas como médicos perioperatorios, incluyendo la conducción de la anestesia, el cuidado crítico, y el tratamiento del dolor crónico y agudo. También facilitaría la continuación de la educación médica y la recertificación de todos los anestesistas practicantes de la región.

Knowledge and skill after brief ACLS training.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the knowledge level and skill base in nurse anesthetists before and after brief ACLS training, and again three months later. METHOD: Thirty nurse anesthetists were tested for knowledge and skill before ACLS training comprising 1-hr lecture and handout, and 1-hr simulation training. Concepts included ABCD, primary and secondary survey, management, medications, and algorithms for common problems. Skill practice comprised airway management, chest compression and practice with equipment. After the training, the nurse anesthetists were immediately tested and again three months later. RESULTS: Age of participants averaged 39.33 + or - 3.14 years and working experience 10.04 +/- 3.23 years. The knowledge and skill scores pre- vs post-training vs three-months-later was 50.32 +/- 15.24 vs 75.40 +/- 10.29 (p < 0.001) vs 60.48 +/- 11.80 (p < 0.001) and 65.00 + 16.07 vs 79.67 +/- 10.80 (p < 0.001) vs 75.67 +/- 14.53 (p < 0.001), respectively. The pre-training vs three-months-post-training skill scores was not statistically different (p = 0.255). CONCLUSION: After the briefACLS training knowledge and skills were significantly improved, but knowledge was not retained at the post-training test levels until the 3-month check, albeit skills had persisted. More frequent ACLS education is necessary.