Effect of Prior Formal Education on Successful Thoracic Epidural Placement By Anesthesia Residents

Educational Methods to Improve Thoracic Epidural Block Proficiency for Residents: Video-Based Education Versus Bedside Education

“…Although the Yeap et al study 6 did not find an improvement in success rate during placement of TEA catheters with the group assigned to video-based education, we consider both teaching methods to be valuable and effective as teaching tools, and both should be recommended as part of the learning curve among residents, particularly novice residents. Future studies are needed in a prospective and randomized fashion for novice residents to determine the effect of video-based teaching methods on success in placing TEA catheters.…”

“…Furthermore, in the Yeap et al study, 6 it is difficult to determine whether the teaching method or prior experience was more helpful to the residents' proficiency with TEA placement. In order to validate the effectiveness of teaching methods (bedside education v video-based), it would be optimal to select residents who previously had performed lumbar epidural blocks but had not been exposed to TEA catheter placement; in other words, just novice residents.…”

“…In this issue of the Journal, Yeap et al 6 reported on an interesting study evaluating different teaching methods in TEA catheter placement among PG residents. Their study included 76 residents (PG 3 and 4) who were divided into 2 groups.…”

“…In order to validate the effectiveness of teaching methods (bedside education v video-based), it would be optimal to select residents who previously had performed lumbar epidural blocks but had not been exposed to TEA catheter placement; in other words, just novice residents. Other limitations in the Yeap et al study 6 included the use of nonvalidated assessment tools, including the medical knowledge test and self-confidence scales. Their study only included a self-made questionnaire.…”

“…[10][11][12] This would be presumed to be the highest at a teaching hospital with early learners. The study by Yeap et al 6 used confirmation of the epidural placement by loss of resistance and the patient experiencing pain relief with BOLUS of local anesthetic, with a very high success rate. This leads to some question of the validity of this result.…”