Research priorities in regional anaesthesia education and training: an international Delphi consensus survey

OBJECTIVES: Education in regional anaesthesia covers several complex and diverse areas, from theoretical aspects to procedural skills, professional behaviours, simulation, curriculum design and assessment. The objectives of this study were to summarise these topics and to prioritise these topics in order of research importance. DESIGN: Electronic structured Delphi questionnaire over three rounds. SETTING: International. PARTICIPANTS: 38 experts in regional anaesthesia education and training, identified through the American Society of Regional Anesthesia Education Special Interest Group research collaboration. RESULTS: 82 topics were identified and ranked in order of prioritisation. Topics were categorised into themes of simulation, curriculum, knowledge translation, assessment of skills, research methodology, equipment and motor skills. Thirteen topics were ranked as essential research priority, with four topics each on simulation and curriculum, three topics on knowledge translation, and one topic each on methodology and assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers and educators can use these identified topics to assist in planning and structuring their research and training in regional anaesthesia education.