[Health-care workload and instructional capacity of Spanish hospitals accredited to train residents in anesthesiology].

OBJECTIVES

To describe the health-care workload and instructional capacity of Spanish hospitals accredited to train anesthesiology residents.

METHODS

Survey of supervisors of anesthesiology residents in 2008 to determine caseloads in surgery and obstetrics as well as in pain clinics and critical care units. The results are presented for different Spanish autonomous communities. The maximum theoretical capacity for instruction in accordance with European guidelines is calculated.

RESULTS

The 100 hospitals surveyed train 325 residents per year and could theoretically increase the training opportunities they offer, within certain limits. Given optimal distribution of resources, the system could train 397 residents per year in pediatric surgery in 3-month rotations, 442 residents in neurosurgery in 2-month rotations, and 479 residents in thoracic surgery in 1-month rotations. Some Spanish communities presently have problems giving training in the settings of pediatric, thoracic, and major outpatient surgery. Furthermore, even though anesthesiologists are presently responsible for 41.6% of available critical care beds, 46 hospitals do not have a sufficient number of beds to give training in this setting. This shortage may have negative repercussions on the accreditation of training programs.

CONCLUSIONS

Although certain limitations were found, the survey showed that the training capacity of the system is greater than accreditation suggests. It would therefore be possible to increase the number of residents.