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

Abstract

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. The methods used for this study were a national web-based survey of chief residents. 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"). 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.