Learning Manual Skills in Anesthesiology

Abstract

Nce of spinal, epidural, or brachial plexus anesthesia and tracheal intubation or insertion of an arterial line. Epidural anesthesia was the most difficult procedure (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found between epidural anesthesia and tracheal intubation (P < 0.05), insertion of an arterial line (P < 0.05), and brachial plexus block (P < 0.05), as well as between spinal anesthesia and orotracheal intubation (P < 0.05). Learning curves are a valid tool for monitoring institutional and individual success. Implications: To investigate the learning process in anesthesia, typical anesthetic procedures were performed by inexperienced residents during their first year. Learning curves were generated for each procedure performed. Epidural anesthesia was the most difficult procedure to perform (P < 0.05). (Anesth Analg 1998;86:635-9)...