Author(s)
Suhas Suddala, B.S
Gabrielle Martin, B.S
Arpan Bose, B.S
Julia Waldman, DO
Arvind Badhey, MD
Affiliation(s)
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School;
Abstract:
Educational Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to understand the importance and efficacy of interdisciplinary rotations in airway expert early training.
Objectives: Airway management, particularly difficult airway management, is a vital part of anesthesiology residents' education. Improved success with intubation and limited complications has been demonstrated among residents with extensive training in airway management. We implemented a 2 week otolaryngology rotation to increase anesthesia residents' knowledge and skills in airway management.
Study Design: The study uses a prospective cohort study design.
Methods: In a two year cohort study, 16 anesthesiology residents were enrolled in the study. These participants were given a survey to assess their knowledge and comfort with upper airway anatomy and fiberoptic scope skills before and after the rotation. Comfort was rated on a 1-5 Likert scale. Airway skills were also objectively assessed by a single head and neck surgeon who acted as the rotation leader.
Results: After completing the rotation, residents were significantly more comfortable with airway anatomy (+ 1.3 points on the Likert scale), flexible scoping (+ 2.3), and performing procedures on awake patients (+ 2.5) (p value less than 0.01). Additionally, residents significantly improved in all skills when objectively assessed by an otolaryngologist (p value less than 0.01).
Conclusions: Residency subspecialty education is important to increase success rate and decrease complications of critical procedures such as advanced airway management. In this ongoing cohort study, we demonstrate that this type of training is effective at both increasing comfort and objective skills. Interdisciplinary work within an airway expert's early training fosters collaboration and can fine tune skillsets needed for lifesaving situations throughout their career.