A Task Analysis of the First Weeks of Training of Novice Anesthesiologists

The training of novice anesthesiologists by more experienced clinicians occurs via an apprenticeship model taking place during actual patient care in a hands-on, one-on-one method that has not been well studied. Two skilled observers recorded the activities of the trainee and the instructor independently during thirty-one surgical cases conducted during the first three weeks of anesthesia training. The results indicate that the training of novice anesthesiologists initially emphasizes manual task performance during which time the more experienced clinicians perform many critical cognitive tasks (i.e., partial task training). Trainees' workload was high, particularly in the initial portion of the case (“putting the patient to sleep”). Teaching consumed most of the middle of the case when the clinical workload was lower. Behavioral and cognitive task analysis may be used to evaluate the efficiency and safety of current or proposed training strategies.