EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT-SKILLS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PEDIATRIC TRAINEES

Objective: This article describes a theoretical and practical assessme nt of the emergency management skills of South Australian paediatric t rainees. The aim was to identify strengths and weaknesses so as to opt imally orientate future training in this area, and to provide a baseli ne that could be used to assess effectiveness of future interventions. Methodology: Thirty-four paediatric trainee medical officers responsi ble for after hours emergency care in Adelaide were asked to anonymous ly complete a 24 question theory assessment based on recognized emerge ncy management training programmes, and to perform a mock clinical res uscitation. Response rate was 90% for the theoretical section and 69% for the practical. Results: The average trainee was found to be defici ent in one quarter to one third of the theoretical precepts, and requi red an average of 2 min to establish effective bag-valve-mask Ventilat ion with an infant manikin. Conclusions: There is a range of theoretic al and practical resuscitation deficits that may currently hinder effe ctive emergency management by paediatric trainees.