Multi-specialty knowledge on surgical a management: Implementation of an educational initiative

Publication date: Available online 21 October 2018

Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology

Author(s): Akina Tamaki, Claudia Cabrera, Clare Richardson, Nicole Maronian

Abstract

Purpose

Deficiencies in airway management knowledge can result in harm, especially in tracheostomy patients. Our objective is to assess the degree of knowledge in different medical specialties, before and after targeted airway education.

Materials and methods

A lecture on tracheostomy management was prepared for Otolaryngology, Anesthesia, Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), Internal Medicine (IM), and Family Medicine (FM). Before the lecture, a 12-question quiz on surgical airway knowledge was administered, and demographics from participants collected. Immediately following the lecture, participants were asked to retake the quiz. Performance was assessed. Baseline knowledge was assessed using variables of specialty, years of practice, and previous education.

Results

A paired t-test evaluating pre- and post-lecture results showed a 34.2% improvement for all participants (n = 168) overall (2.7 points, p < 0.001). Providers with more years of practice performed better. Otolaryngology and OMFS performed the highest on the baseline test while FM and IM performed the lowest. The providers who reported previous standardized training from the hospital system, informal instruction on the ward, or had the topic covered in their degree program performed better compared to those without previous education (ANOVA model, 3.5 points, p < 0.01). Providers who underwent formal training in their degree program performed the best. A Likert scale with self-assessment of comfort with surgical airway correlated positively with the performance on the quiz.

Conclusion

Variability in tracheostomy knowledge based on specialty and years of training exists. We demonstrate that formal education on tracheostomy and surgical airways improved quantitative measures of knowledge.

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