Regional anaesthesia at the frontier. An evidence free talk!

Abstract

Background Delivery of anesthesia in Australian country health services is reliant on non-specialist and specialist medical practitioners. Whilst training, credentialing and quality assurance requirements for specialists are standardized, and considerable, this is not generally true for non-specialists. Health services have the difficult job of credentialing this eclectic non-specialist group for anesthetic practice. This survey was under taken to establish training, practice and experience details of WA’s non-specialist anaesthetic workforce. The survey also provided information on current and planned future anaesthetic practice, including intended duration of service in WACHS. In addition we sought to determine current levels and future preferences of anesthetic related CME, QA and anaesthetic credentialing. Equipment deficiencies and anaesthetic assistant quality were also assessed Methods In 2010 a survey document was designed and sent to all currently credentialed, non-specialist anaesthetic medical practitioners in WACHS (n=95). 31 stem questions were asked concerning anaesthetic practice. These included personal details, anaesthetic training and current anaesthetic practices. We also directed questions about CME, QA, anaesthetic equipment, and anaesthetic assistants. Whilst he survey was mainly a tick box questionnaire, there was also opportunity for comment and written responses to specific questions. Results 82 (approximately 86%) non specialist anaesthetists completed and returned the survey Summary and Outcomes A large amount of anaesthetic workforce information has been collected and a baseline, from which future changes can be measured, has been established. WACHS has a relatively long serving, mature and experienced group of non-specialist anesthetists. CME and QA practices and future preferences for this group have been determined. Deficiencies in anaesthetic equipment and assistants training levels have also been identified. This survey has been used by WACHS to shape the anaesthetic credentialing and re-credentialing process in Western Australia. In addition it has guided equipment purchases such as ultra sound and video laryngoscope equipment. The survey has also identified forthcoming anaesthetic workforce shortages, and allowed pre-emptive expansion of non-specialist anesthetic training positions (JCCA accredited) in WA