Anaesthesia training designs across Europe: A survey-based study from the trainees committee of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care

Anaesthesiology training programs in Europe vary in duration, content, and requirements for completion. This survey-based study conducted by the Trainees Committee of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care explores current anaesthesia training designs across Europe. Between May and July 2018, we sent a 41-item online questionnaire to all National Trainee Representatives, members of the National Anaesthesiologists Societies Committee, and Council Representatives of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) of all member countries. We cross-validated inconsistent data with different country representatives. Forty-three anaesthesiologists from all 39 associated ESAIC countries completed the questionnaire. Results showed considerable variability in teaching formats, frequency of teaching sessions during training, and differences in assessments made during and at the end of training. The reported duration of training was 60 months in 59% (n = 23) of participating countries, ranging from 24 months in Russia and Ukraine to 84 months in the UK. This study shows the significant differences in anaesthesiology training formats across Europe, and highlights the importance of developing standardised training programs to ensure a consistent level of training and to improve patient safety. This study provides valuable insights into European anaesthesia training, and underlines the need for further research and collaboration to improve requirements. Los programas formativos europeos en anestesiología varían en términos de duración, contenido y requisitos de cumplimiento. El objetivo de este estudio basado en una encuesta realizada por el Comité de Residentes de la European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care es explorar los diseños actuales de la formación en anestesia a lo largo de Europa. Entre mayo y julio de 2018, enviamos un cuestionario online de 41 ítems a todos los representantes nacionales de los residentes, miembros de NASC (National Anaesthesiologists Societies Committee), y Representantes del Consejo de ESAIC (European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care) de todos los países miembros a los que representan. Validamos transversalmente los datos inconsistentes con los diferentes representantes de los países. Cuarenta y tres anestesiólogos de 39 países asociados a ESAIC completaron el cuestionario. Los resultados mostraron una variabilidad considerable de los formatos docentes, la frecuencia de las s