Setting a direction for continuing professional development in anesthesiology: A synthesis of the outcome from an Utstein style meeting

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Background: An Utstein style meeting of key stakeholders from the existing collaboration surrounding post-graduate training was arranged to set a direction for continuing professional development (CPD) of anesthesiologists in Denmark. A 2-day meeting was planned to guide discussions about competencies in anesthesiology, facilitate the development of a blueprint for a portfolio-based CPD program and provide examples of how a portfolio can be used in practice. Methods: The meeting agenda was based on an adaptation of Kern's six-step approach to curriculum development. Twenty-four participants from the university hospitals in Denmark were invited. Prior to the meeting participants were informed of the objectives and the Utstein style process. Results: Participants acknowledged a need for a more structured approach to CPD, preferably within the current organizational set up at the departmental level, and with a portfolio-based, individualized curriculum. It was recognized that CPD should contain an array of possibilities to accommodate needs and wants of both the individual and the department. It was emphasized that, while anesthesiologists are used to give feedback to trainees, many are less familiar in providing the same to peers, and psychological safety was identified as a prerequisite to support a culture where specialists can reflect openly on each other's performance. Conclusion: The results provide an insight into the attitudes, opportunities, and challenges of anesthesiologists in relation to continuing professional development in Denmark. Generally, participant suggestions are in line with the shift in medical education toward workplace-based learning, feedback and lifelong learning.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
Number of pages9
ISSN0001-5172
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.

    Research areas

  • anaesthesiology, continuing professional development, medical education

ID: 385010891