Implementation of clinical practice changes by experienced anesthesiologists after simulation-based ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia training.

BACKGROUND: Anesthesiologists who have finished formal training and want to learn ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) commonly attend 1 day workshops. However, it is unclear whether participation actually changes clinical practice. We assessed change implementation after completion of a 1 day simulation-based UGRA workshop.

METHODS: Practicing anesthesiologists who participated in a 1 day UGRA course from January 2012 through May 2014 were surveyed. The course consisted of clinical observation of UGRA procedures, didactic lectures, ultrasound scanning, hands-on perineural catheter placement, and mannequin simulation. The primary outcome was the average number of UGRA blocks per month reported at follow-up versus baseline. Secondary outcomes included preference for ultrasound as the nerve localization technique, ratings of UGRA teaching methods, and obstacles to performing UGRA.

RESULTS: Survey data from 46 course participants (60% response rate) were included for analysis. Participants were (median [10th-90th percentile]) 50 (37-63) years old, had been in practice for 17 (5-30) years, and were surveyed 27 (10-34) months after their UGRA training. Participants reported performing 24 (4-90) blocks per month at follow-up compared to 10 (2-24) blocks at baseline (P < 0.001). Compared to baseline, more participants at follow-up preferred ultrasound for nerve localization. The major obstacle to implementing UGRA in clinical practice was time pressure.

CONCLUSIONS: Participation in a 1 day simulation-based UGRA course may increase UGRA procedural volume by practicing anesthesiologists.