Simulation-based ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia education: a national survey of Canadian anesthesiology residency training programs

Simulation-based education in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) improves knowledge, skills, and patient outcomes. Nevertheless, it is not known how simulation-based UGRA education is used across Canada. We aimed to characterize the current use of simulation-based UGRA education in Canadian anesthesiology residency training programs.

We developed and distributed a structured national survey to simulation leads of all 17 Canadian anesthesiology residency training programs. The survey inquired about program demographics, simulation modalities, facilitators and barriers to simulation use, use for assessment, and beliefs around simulation-based UGRA education. We gathered data from August to November 2023 and summarized our findings descriptively.

Fifteen programs (88%) responded to our survey. Eight programs (53%) used UGRA simulation for technical training and nine programs (60%) for nontechnical training. The most common simulators used were live model scanning (13 programs, 87%) and gel phantom models (7 programs, 47%). Five programs (33%) mandated simulation-based UGRA in their curriculum. We found that deliberate practice and improved patient safety were most valued in simulation training while lack of funding and faculty availability were the most common barriers to implementation. Most respondents agreed that formative simulation-based education would improve trainee skills and called for greater standardization. Nevertheless, there were mixed responses regarding summative UGRA simulation and the need for simulation proficiency before clinical practice.

Our findings show significant variations in simulation implementation and views on UGRA simulation-based education among Canadian anesthesiology residency training programs. Future studies should explore avenues to overcome barriers and improve knowledge translation in UGRA.