Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2012
ReviewDilemmas in biomedical research publication: are we losing the plot?
Some recent and very controversial developments in the sphere of scientific publication, with significant implications for biomedical research, are posing a significant threat to traditional publication models. Many of these developments appear to be the result of a vicious circle that has developed from publication pressure on researchers, corporate financial exploitation of those pressures, and an apparent perception that individual and institutional reputations are to be promoted at all cost. ⋯ In many different respects, biomedical research publication is now in an unprecedented state of flux. Traditional models are being strongly challenged, probably with good reason, and alternative models of both funding and delivery need to be settled upon with some urgency. While individuals, institutions and corporate bodies who resist the current evolution may find themselves in line for extinction, at the same time it is important for the entire 'industry' to revert to some more traditional values and not allow self-interest to prevail.
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Patient safety is topical today. Competent professionals are necessary to keep anesthesia care safe, and teaching trainees is an important element in safety work. The purpose of this review is to present the latest research on anesthesia training and trainees. ⋯ Much research about anesthesia training concerns simulator training and assessment of trainees' competence. More research is needed to understand the process of learning anesthesia.
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To summarize the currently available data on malpractice claims related to ambulatory anesthesia and provide an insight into the emerging patterns of anesthesia liability in this practice setting. ⋯ With steady increase in outpatient surgery, anesthesiologists are confronted with new areas of liability. More data are needed to identify these risks and reduce exposure to malpractice claims.
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Anesthesiologists work in a complex environment that is intolerant of errors. Cognitive errors, or errors in thought processes, are mistakes that a clinician makes despite 'knowing better'. Several new studies provide a better understanding of how to manage risk while making better decisions. ⋯ Effective decision-making and risk management reduce the risk of adverse events in the operating room. This article proposes several new decision-making and risk assessment tools for use in the operating room.