Globalisation/standardisation

Globalisation/ standardisation

 

Learning points
  • Variation of postgraduate training to gain specialist qualification in anaesthesia is inevitable. Consensus on minimum standards is vital for patient safety.
  • Standardisation of ‘emergency language’ is important

Comments
Jonker and colleagues report wide variability in postgraduate training for anaesthesia and certification processes across 28 countries in the European Union. With advances in technology, tourism and immigration, globalisation occurs worldwide across all areas in human society. Healthcare organisations are no exception, making these findings also relevant to Australia and New Zealand. Whilst variation may promote positive aspects such as flexibility and breed innovation, we have also seen when unwarranted variation has caused real concern for patient safety. No doubt there are both benefits and risks to standardisation, some of which we are yet to discover. For a dynamic changing clinical environment is commonplace, but the standard of care offered by anaesthesia practitioners should not. Challenges for all professional organisations will include establishing and defining crucial learning elements and agree minimum standards of competence.

Standardising emergency language is also a very valid discussion point. Anaesthesia continues to lead the way for recognition of the value of simulation training in teams, interdisciplinary training and importance of human factors in improving patient care. Akin to “shockable” and “non shockable” rhythms during a cardiac arrest, we should create similar phrases or words that would trigger an entire team, including non- anaesthetists, to perform various procedures during time critical events and enable a very rapid shared mental model.
 

References

  1. Weller J.M., Sullivan M., Boland J., Does variable training lead to variable care? British Journal of Anaesthesia Nov 2017 119 (5): p. 866-869
  2. Jonker et al. Variations in assessment and certification in postgraduate anaesthesia training: a European survey. British Journal of Anaesthesia Nov 2017 119 (5): p. 1009-1014
  3. Chrimes N., Cook T.M., Critical airways, critical language British Journal of Anaesthesia Nov 2017 119 (5): p 1072