[High fidelity simulation in Anesthesia and Intensive Care: context and opinion of performing centres--a survey by the French College of Anesthesiologists and Intensivists].

OBJECTIVES

High fidelity simulation is rapidly expanding in France. The question of knowing how to accredit this new mode of continuous education and how far it is available for this purpose is pending. The purpose of this survey was to collect how active centres operate and which criteria they would prefer to accredit this form of continuing medical education.

STUDY DESIGN

National survey.

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to all centres using high fidelity simulation in France (December 2009).

RESULTS

Eighteen of 21 centres answered (86%; all university hospitals). These centres are equipped with adult high fidelity simulation and procedural heads for intubation. Funding is achieved via multiple sources and one third of centres benefit from manufacturers' lending. Centres are mostly located within the university premises (70%). One or more staff practitioners are involved in 78% and the majority of centres are operated by more than three. Nurse anaesthetists are not involved in most centres. Operating procedures are similar and high fidelity simulation is mostly used for in-site resident training. At present, centres are only marginally able to train non-resident senior anaesthesiologists. Sessions extend over one day (72%). The majority of centres is prone to share scenarios (75%) and pedagogic aids (93%). Basic scenarios (e.g., cardiopulmonary resuscitation) are mainstream objectives for 85% of centres.

CONCLUSION

high fidelity simulation is rapidly expending in France but its ability to contribute to continuous medical education is still limited to date.