Training in regional anaesthesia: there is much to do

Abstract

This editorial discusses a survey of anaesthesia trainees and trainers from the UK concerning training in regional anaesthesia. The study found a large disparity in the number and diversity of regional anaesthesia procedures carried out by trainees during their initial training and that the presence of a departmental regional anaesthesia training lead improves the quality of teaching of these techniques. This study emphasises the fact that there is still a huge effort required to provide adequate training in regional anaesthetic techniques in the UK if patients are to benefit from the optimal postoperative analgesia they provide: the same probably applies also in many other European countries.

Keywords: central neuraxial procedures; peripheral nerve block; regional anaesthesia; survey study; teaching; training.