Emergency airway management: Training and experience of chief residents in otolaryngology and anesthesiology

BACKGROUND: Resident training in emergency airway management is not well described. We quantified training and exposure to airway emergencies among graduating Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Anesthesiology residents. METHODS: The methods used for this study were a national web-based survey of chief residents. RESULTS: The response rate was 52% (otolaryngology) and 60% (anesthesiology). More otolaryngology residents rotated on anesthesiology than anesthesia residents on otolaryngology (33% vs 8%). More anesthesiology chiefs never performed an emergency surgical airway than otolaryngology (92% vs 18%). The most common self-rating of competency was "9," with 82% overall self-rating "8" or higher (10 = "totally competent"). CONCLUSION: Otolaryngology and anesthesiology emergency airway management experience/training is heterogeneous and nonstandardized. Many chief residents graduate with little exposure to airway emergencies, especially surgical airways. Resident confidence levels are high despite minimal experience. This high confidence-low experience dichotomy may reflect novice overconfidence and suggests the need for improved training methods.