Analysis of anesthesia chief resident competencies in anesthesia crisis management simulation

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia crisis management (ACM) simulation would expose anesthesiology residents and trainees to dynamic emergencies that need quick yet effective responses to gain their core strength and capabilities as anesthesiologists. Our department had already employed ACM simulation into modules and practiced in examinations. The aim is to enhance professional working ethics and human responsibility in residents, which would be accomplished in semi-realistic simulation. This would be a useful tool for lecturers to evaluate current teaching methods and measure protégés in daily emergencies, which should be done better in continuous pattern. METHODS: We analyzed the ACM simulation scores from resident examination using Strata SE programs. The examination consisted of four topics in which points counted for each topic ranged from 0 to 15 and then would be counted into percentage for passing grade. The required minimum passing grade for each topic was 75%, in which the average score for one topic was 11.25. DISCUSSION: Overall average score for all subjects was 12.07, which already achieved the 75% passing grade with a cutoff point of 11.25. Postsurgical bleeding and cannot intubate–cannot oxygenate topics were the two bottom topics that could not achieve the 75% passing grade. Preoperative evaluation and decision making were two lowest non-technical skill scores in the examination. CONCLUSION: Weakest core competencies were found in preoperative evaluation and decision making even though all subjects had already passed the minimum requirements of 75% passing grade. Postsurgical bleeding and cannot intubate–cannot oxygenate were also topics with lowest scores in core competencies. These findings would suggest for innovation and reevaluation of current teaching.