First Year Specialist Anaesthesia Training in Ireland: A Logbook Analysis

Abstract

Objective:

Acquisition of a new range of skills occurs during first year anaesthesia training. At present, no defined logbook targets exist for the Irish anaesthesia trainee.

The aim of this study was to quantify the number of practical procedures performed and supervision required during first year anaesthesia training.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained logbooks of three first year anaesthesia trainees was performed.

Results:

In the first three months, mean numbers of cases were 224, enodotrachael tube (ETT) 64, laryngael mask airway (LMA) 55, spinal anaesthetic 12, arterial lines 9.5, central lines 0.5, peripheral nerve blockade (PNB) 2, epidurals 0. There was 91.5% direct supervision and 8.5% indirect supervision.

In the final three months, mean numbers of cases were 205.5, ETT 28, LMA 35, spinals 50, arterial line insertions 4.5, central line insertions 1.5, PNB 3.5, epidurals 80.  There was 68.5% direct supervision and 31.5% indirect supervision.

Conclusions:

Defined logbook targets are needed to quantify trainee progress.