Development of a pediatric anesthesia fellowship curriculum in Australasia by the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia of New Zealand and Australia (SPANZA) education sub committee.

Abstract

There has been a recognized need to develop a curriculum for pediatric anesthesia training in Australia and New Zealand. The drivers are safe care for children, clear standards of care for children within and outside of quaternary centres, and clarity of the expertise and skill of the practitioner. Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) made up of multiple competencies and sub-competencies are useful for the description and assessment of contemporary medical education. We have developed an EPA-based curriculum that is not prescriptive in the number or range of EPAs that should be completed. Individuals can shape their learning and training to the EPAs that will support their ability to provide high-quality safe care in the wide variety of institutions that they may be employed in after their pediatric fellowship. Institutions can use the curriculum to describe the skill set required for their institution and location. This paper will explain the process behind the development of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia in New Zealand and Australia (SPANZA) guidelines of a curriculum for pediatric anesthesia fellowship based on EPAs.