ABSTRACT
Background: After graduation, physicians should be able to provide professional and safe services without the need for supervision by their clinical professors, mandating a competency-based medical education (CBME) approach. Objectives: This study aimed to develop a national model of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) based on our experiences in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care (DACC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU). Methods: The primary EPA design plan was designed in a 10-step model as a career roadmap for the project. The texts were prepared according to a consensus-based approach. On the other hand, the texts were reviewed and revised by a broad team of faculty in a daily workshop. Results: The final product included 14 topics for EPA as the first round of targeting topics for anesthesiology residents. The texts were developed using previous studies and were standardized considering national standards. Conclusions: We described a clear path toward designing and implementing EPAs in anesthesiology residency programs to improve the quality of the graduated residents. Though the basic theory is the same, each country needs its formula for implementing the process.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of bupivacaine alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine on postoperative analgesia, neonatal Apgar score, and bispectral index (BIS), which has been shown to correlate with increased sedation and loss of consciousness in women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: A total of 152 term parturient women scheduled to have elective cesarean section with American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status I or II were allocated randomly into two groups to receive either bupivacaine plus placebo (BV group) or bupivacaine plus dexmedetomidine (BVD group). BIS, sedation scale scores, Apgar scores, and hemodynamic characteristics were recorded and statistically compared between the groups. RESULTS: Onset of post-operative pain was delayed in the BVD group. Sedation score (Ramsay sedation section) was improved in the BVD group with the least values of 0 - 3 followed by 1 - 4. There was no significant difference in Apgar score between the two groups. Also, there was a significant distinction between the two groups in terms of BIS during cesarean section. CONCLUSIONS: The use of intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in cesarean surgeries provides better intra-operative and post-operative analgesia without any significant impact on Apgar scores or incidence of side effects.
