ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The use of cognitive aids (CAs) during critical events is thought to be useful. However, whether CAs are known and used by French and Canadian anaesthesia providers is not clear. METHODS: A survey was emailed to French and Canadian anaesthesia providers in 2017 through their respective national societies. It consisted of 23 questions about the participants' demographics and their knowledge, use, and impact of CAs. A second survey was sent to French simulation centres. RESULTS: 912 responses were recorded in France and 278 in Canada (overall response rate: 7% and 11%, respectively). Among the respondents, 700/899 in France (78%) versus 249/273 (91%) in Canada were familiar with the concept of cognitive dysfunction during a crisis and 501/893 (56%) in France versus 250/271 (92%) in Canada knew the concept of CAs. Amongst those respondents who knew about CAs, 189/492 (38%) in France versus 108/244 (44%) in Canada stated that they had already used a CA in real life and 225/493 (45%) in France versus 126/245 (51%) in Canada had received training in their use. Simulation was the principal modality for training in 150/225 (67%) of cases in France versus 47/126 (37%) in Canada. Among the 28/50 French simulation centres which responded (2018 January), 27 organised sessions in anaesthesia and 22 used CAs. CONCLUSION: CAs were better known in Canada than in France, but their actual use in real life was low in both countries. Simulation appears to play a potentially important role training anaesthesia providers in the use of CAs.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The increasing use of high-fidelity simulation is limited by the imbalance between the growing number of students and the human resources available in such a way that all residents cannot play a role during scenarios. The learning outcomes of observers need to be studied. METHODS: This prospective randomised study was approved by the institutional review board. Anaesthesia residents attending a one-day training session were enrolled. In each of the four scenarios, three residents played an active role while others observed in a separate room. All participants attended debriefing sessions. Residents were randomised between active participant-observer group (AP-O group) and observer group (O group). A similar questionnaire was distributed before, immediately after the session and after three months and included self-reported assessment of satisfaction, medical knowledge (noted 0-16), and non-technical skills. RESULTS: A hundred and four questionnaires were analysed. Immediately after the simulation, a significant increase in medical knowledge was recorded but was higher in the AP-O group (6 [5-8] to 10 [8-11]/16) than in the O group (7 [5-8] to 9 [7-10]/16). High scores for non-technical skills were similarly observed in both groups. Satisfaction was high in both groups but was higher in the AP-O group (9 [8-9] versus 8 [8-9]/10, P=0.019). Decay of knowledge was observed for most main outcomes at three months. CONCLUSION: This study suggests an immediate improvement of learning outcomes for both roles after immersive simulation but some learning outcomes may be better for residents engaged as players in scenarios.
