Resident Recruitment in a New Era.

ABSTRACT: This chapter focuses on resident recruitment and recent US National Resident Matching Program changes and the impact in the evaluation and ranking of applicants within the specialty of anesthesiology. Recruitment challenges are examined as well as program strategies and potential future directions. Also discussed are DEI initiatives within the recruitment process.

Evaluation of a 12-hole clock model for improving bronchoscopic skills in simulated normal and difficult airways among anesthesia residents: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Simulation-based training is used to improve fiberoptic bronchoscopic skills for novices. We developed a nonanatomical task trainer (named 12-hole clock model) that focused on training manipulation of bronchoscopes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the training effect of this model on bronchoscopic skills and learning interests in simulated normal and difficult airways among anesthesia residents. METHODS: Forty-three anesthesia residents without experience in bronchoscopic intubation were randomly divided into control (n = 22) and intervention groups (n = 21). All participants received standard multimedia learning and a baseline test using a normal airway manikin. Then, the control and intervention groups engaged in 60 minutes of training via a traditional airway manikin or the clock model, respectively. After training, the participants completed bronchoscopic performance assessments in simulated normal and difficult airways, as well as an electronic questionnaire related to the course. RESULTS: During training, the total hands-on time of bronchoscopic practice recorded by trainees' themselves was longer in the intervention group than in the control group (1568 ±â€…478 seconds vs 497 ±â€…172 s, P < .0001). Posttraining, the time required to visualize the carina in simulated normal airways was longer in the intervention group than in the control group (22.0 [18.0, 29.0] vs 14.0 [10.8, 18.3], P < .0001), while it was shorter for simulated difficult airways (24.0 [16.0, 32.0] s vs 27.0 [21.0, 35.5] s, P = .0425). The survey results indicated that confidence in bronchoscopic intubation increased in both groups, without significant differences in satisfaction, acceptance, or perceived difficulty between the groups. However, the interest ratings were higher in the intervention group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The 12-hole clock model is a simple and feasible method for improving bronchoscopic skills and promoting interest among trainees. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05327842 at Clinicaltrials.gov.

Quality Improvement in an Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit Through Pain Assessment and Control.

The aim of the study is to determine whether the assessment of postoperative pain and timely measures to control it improve the quality of medical care in intensive care units (ICUs). To develop an improvement model with a focus on pain assessment and control. 151 patients were included in the study, divided into two groups: a retrospective group (RG)-60 patients and a prospective group (PG)-91 patients. A multimodal approach to pain control was applied to all patients. We administered the Critical Care Pain Observational Tool (CPOT) to PG upon admission to the ICU. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain assessment was used in all non intubated patients in 6 hours intervals. In the PG, а model for improvement was applied using a PDSA (Plan, Do, Study/ Check, Act) cycle. The following indicators have been used: process, outcome, and balancing indicators. A survey of the PG was also conducted. The developed Model of improvement increased the VAS score reporting success rate from 40 to 95%, which allowed significantly better pain control. In PG the registered CPOT score was 1.71 ± 0.73. 90% of patients in PG have an average VAS score below 5 after the improvement model, while in RG-50% of patients, which is statistically significant (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in balancing indicators between the two groups. Conclusion: The conducted survey confirmed the positive effect of the model. Quality improvement in the ICU depends on accurate assessment of postoperative pain and timely and adequate treatment.

Examiner workload comparison: three structured oral examination formats for the European diploma in anaesthesiology and intensive care.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered transformations in academic medicine, rapidly adopting remote teaching and online assessments. Whilst virtual environments show promise in evaluating medical knowledge, their impact on examiner workload is unclear. This study explores examiner's workload during different European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Part 2 Structured Oral Examinations formats. We hypothesise that online exams result in lower examiner's workload than traditional face-to-face methods. We also investigate workload structure and its correlation with examiner characteristics and marking performance. In 2023, examiner's workload for three examination formats (face-to-face, hybrid, online) using the NASA TLX instrument was prospectively evaluated. The impact of examiner demographics, candidate scoring agreement, and examination scores on workload was analysed. The overall NASA TLX score from 215 workload measurements in 142 examiners was high at 59.61 ± 14.13. The online examination had a statistically higher workload (61.65 ± 12.84) than hybrid but not face-to-face. Primary contributors to workload were mental and temporal demands, and effort. Online exams were associated with elevated frustration. Male examiners and those spending more time on exam preparation experienced a higher workload. Multiple diploma specialties and familiarity with European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care exams were protective against high workload. Perceived workload did not impact marking agreement or examination scores across all formats. Examiners experience high workload. Online exams are not systematically associated with decreased workload, likely due to frustration. Despite workload differences, no impact on examiner's performance or examination scores was found. The hybrid examination mode, combining face-to-face and online, was associated with a minor but statistically significant workload reduction. This hybrid approach may offer a more balanced and efficient examination process while maintaining integrity, cost savings, and increased accessibility for candidates.

[ChatGPT for use in technology-enhanced learning in anesthesiology and emergency medicine and potential clinical application of AI language models : Between hype and reality around artificial intelligence in medical use]. / ChatGPT im Einsatz für "technology-enhanced learning" in Anästhesiologie und Notfallmedizin und potenzielle klinische Anwendung von KI­Sprachmodellen : Zwischen Hype und Wirklichkeit um künstliche Intelligenz im medizinischen Einsatz.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of AI language models in education and academia is currently a subject of research, and applications in clinical settings are also being tested. Studies conducted by various research groups have demonstrated that language models can answer questions related to medical board examinations, and there are potential applications of these models in medical education as well. RESEARCH QUESTION: This study aims to investigate the extent to which current version language models prove effective for addressing medical inquiries, their potential utility in medical education, and the challenges that still exist in the functioning of AI language models. METHOD: The program ChatGPT, based on GPT 3.5, had to answer 1025 questions from the second part (M2) of the medical board examination. The study examined whether any errors and what types of errors occurred. Additionally, the language model was asked to generate essays on the learning objectives outlined in the standard curriculum for specialist training in anesthesiology and the supplementary qualification in emergency medicine. These essays were analyzed afterwards and checked for errors and anomalies. RESULTS: The findings indicated that ChatGPT was able to correctly answer the questions with an accuracy rate exceeding 69%, even when the questions included references to visual aids. This represented an improvement in the accuracy of answering board examination questions compared to a study conducted in March; however, when it came to generating essays a high error rate was observed. DISCUSSION: Considering the current pace of ongoing improvements in AI language models, widespread clinical implementation, especially in emergency departments as well as emergency and intensive care medicine with the assistance of medical trainees, is a plausible scenario. These models can provide insights to support medical professionals in their work, without relying solely on the language model. Although the use of these models in education holds promise, it currently requires a significant amount of supervision. Due to hallucinations caused by inadequate training environments for the language model, the generated texts might deviate from the current state of scientific knowledge. Direct deployment in patient care settings without permanent physician supervision does not yet appear to be achievable at present.

[Preoperative evaluation of adult patients before elective, non-cardiothoracic surgery : A joint recommendation of the German Society for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, the German Society for Surgery and the German Society for Internal Medicine]. / Präoperative Evaluation erwachsener Patientinnen und Patienten vor elektiven, nicht herz-thoraxchirurgischen Eingriffen : Eine gemeinsame Empfehlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Innere Medizin.

The 70 recommendations summarize the current status of preoperative risk evaluation of adult patients prior to elective non-cardiothoracic surgery. Based on the joint publications of the German scientific societies for anesthesiology and intensive care medicine (DGAI), surgery (DGCH), and internal medicine (DGIM), which were first published in 2010 and updated in 2017, as well as the European guideline on preoperative cardiac risk evaluation published in 2022, a comprehensive re-evaluation of the recommendation takes place, taking into account new findings, the current literature, and current guidelines of international professional societies. The revised multidisciplinary recommendation is intended to facilitate a structured and common approach to the preoperative evaluation of patients. The aim is to ensure individualized preparation for the patient prior to surgery and thus to increase patient safety. Taking into account intervention- and patient-specific factors, which are indispensable in the preoperative risk evaluation, the perioperative risk for the patient should be minimized and safety increased. The recommendations for action are summarized under "General Principles (A)," "Advanced Diagnostics (B)," and the "Preoperative Management of Continuous Medication (C)." For the first time, a rating of the individual measures with regard to their clinical relevance has been given in the present recommendation. A joint and transparent agreement is intended to ensure a high level of patient orientation while avoiding unnecessary preliminary examinations, to shorten preoperative examination procedures, and ultimately to save costs. The joint recommendation of DGAI, DGCH and DGIM reflects the current state of knowledge as well as the opinion of experts. The recommendation does not replace the individualized decision between patient and physician about the best preoperative strategy and treatment.

Cost of Training Crisis: Anaesthetics.

The anaesthetic training programme in the United Kingdom (UK) spans over seven years and is overseen by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCOA). Junior doctors in England are currently striking amid ongoing pay negotiations with the government, and almost all junior doctors are worried about the cost of living. This article provides an overview of the average financial cost of training for doctors in the anaesthetic training programme. The cost incurred by anaesthetic trainees illustrates the level of financial burden faced by trainees across multiple specialities. The cost includes: student loan repayment (with interest rates), compulsory membership fees (including the Royal College of Anaesthetists and General Medical Council), postgraduate examinations (Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetist exams are compulsory to complete training) and medical indemnity. The average trainee spends between 5.6% and 7.4% of their annual salary on non-reimbursable costs. This article delineates for aforementioned expenses and compares them with the training programs in Australia and New Zealand, given their status as frequent emigration destinations for UK doctors.