Efficacy of a theoretical and practical course in learning difficult airway predictors Eficacia de un curso teórico práctico en el aprendizaje de predictores de vía aérea difícil

Abstract

Introduction: The management of a difficult airway is a high impact issue in the survival of critical patients admitted to emergency services. The starting point in this management is the correct identification of difficult airway predictors. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a course (that combines theory and practice) in the learning of 15 features that predict a difficult airway. Methodology: it was done a review of scores of tests conducted before
and after the completion of a course on difficult airway in the emergency department, making emphasis on meaning questions of three acronyms that summarize 15 characteristics to be evaluated to identify difficult airway predictors. The participants of this course were medical doctors who received a textbook, a month before starting the course. This textbook included the theoretical concepts to be evaluated. During the course, doctors received theoretical lessons and participated actively in workshops with high accurateness mannequins to practice airway management techniques. For statistical analysis it was used the Shapiro Wilk T Student and Wilcoxon tests. Results: After analyzing the results obtained before and after the course, it was found a statistically significant difference for the global assessment of knowledge about the management of a difficult airway p<0.001. Likewise, a significant improvement was found when assessing the specific questions about difficult airway predictors using 3 acronyms that group 15 features: MOANS p<0.001, LEMON p<0.001, SHORT p<0.001. Conclusión: The use of a difficult airway management course in the emergency setting that combines lectures and workshops using high accuracy mannequins is an efficient tool in the teaching of difficult airway predictors.