CUSUM charts: a tool for assessing competency?

Abstract

A departmental survey demonstrated that just over half the consultant anaesthetists were not confident in the use of all local difficult airway trolley equipment. Previous work has shown that web-based learning of airway techniques is as effective as traditional teaching, both in terms of knowledge gains and motor skills performance [1]. A 'Google' search identified many difficult airway websites that purported to be educational. Common problems with these informational websites included a lack of interactivity, an absence of self-assessment, and a lack of relevance to the local equipment. We therefore aimed to develop a learner centred, user friendly intranet website that demonstrated the use of the local difficult airway trolley equipment. Methods

Cumulative sum (CUSUM) assessment and medical education: a square peg in a round hole

“…In the last decade there has been a growing interest in the application of these techniques to medical practice. In particular, there have been several articles in recent years – including in this journal – evaluating and often promoting the use of CUSUM assessment of performance in three main areas: trainees’ acquisition of competence in procedural skills [2–4]; quality control at departmental or organisational level [5]; and performance of specialists [6, 7].…”

LC‐CUSUM test

“…We read with interest ‘CUSUM charts: a tool for assessing competency’ by Ail and Rhodes [1]. However, we believe the authors may have been misled by previous errors in the medical literature [2] and consequently they have inadequately assessed the learning curve of their own trainees.…”