Training for Trauma Anesthesia: Role of Education and Simulation-Based Training

Purpose of Review Trauma care requires distinct skills of the anesthesia care giver that need to be provided in both a timely fashion and highly dynamic setting. This article will review different strategies to teach these complex skills with an emphasis on simulation-based training. Recent Findings In addition to traditional educational formats such as didactic sessions, simulation-based education can provide unique opportunities for teaching technical skills and non-technical skills. Each type of skill can be integrated into immersive high-fidelity simulation to train both the individual and the team in the care of trauma patients. Both original and review studies provide evidence that simulation can improve technical and cognitive skills of the individual anesthesia provider as well as the multidisciplinary team with evidence of improved patient outcomes. Summary Comprehensive trauma education for anesthesia residents and continued education for established anesthesia providers should include simulation-based educational strategies in order to improve technical and non-technical skills. This training can improve patient outcomes.