A prospective randomized comparative study of effectiveness of simulation-based training in improving the performance of non-technical skill among postgraduate students during anaesthesia crisis resource management

Background Non-technical skills are pivotal in ensuring patient safety during anaesthesia crisis resource management. Simulation-based training has emerged as a promising educational approach for enhancing these skills. This study protocol outlines a prospective randomised comparative study aimed at assessing the impact of simulation-based training on the performance of anaesthesia residents during anaesthesia crisis resource management, with a focus on task management, teamwork, situational awareness, and decision-making skills, using the Assessment of Non-Technical Skills (ANTS) scoring system. Methods Anesthesia residents in postgraduate years 1 and 2 from the Department of Anesthesia at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital will be included as study participants. Informed consent will be obtained, and no exclusion criteria will be applied. Participants will undergo an orientation session covering essential crisis management and simulation knowledge. The study will employ advanced simulation equipment, including a Human Patient Simulator (HPS) mannequin, an anaesthesia machine, and a simulated operating room. Faculty members have selected six distinct perioperative emergency scenarios for simulation sessions. Participants will be grouped in pairs and exposed to three scenarios during each session. Debriefing and feedback will follow each scenario, reinforcing non-technical skills. Experienced staff anesthesiologists, trained in the Assessment of Non-Technical Skills (ANTS) scoring system, will serve as assessors to evaluate participant performance. Expected outcomes Data collected will include ANTS scores, debriefing feedback, and post-test results. Statistical analysis will be employed to assess the effectiveness of simulation-based training in enhancing non-technical skills among anaesthesia residents during anaesthesia crisis resource management.