Peer-reviewed article
Pediatric Anesthesia Practice and Training in Ibero-America: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.
John Pirez, Andrés Bacigalupo Landa, Vinicius Caldeira Quintao, Federico Cristiani, Mónica Hervías et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This survey describes the current state of pediatric anesthesia training and practice across 21 Ibero-American countries. The study found that most anesthesiologists caring for children lack formal specialized training, instead developing skills through routine practice. There is significant variation in clinical experience, case volume, and use of advanced techniques across the region.
Key points
- Only 27.8% of respondents had formal fellowship training in pediatric anesthesia
- 72.2% of anesthesiologists developed pediatric skills through routine practice without specialized training
- 56.6% had less than 10 years of pediatric anesthesia experience
- 41% of anesthesiologists dedicated 20% or less of their clinical time to pediatric cases
- Fellowship-trained anesthesiologists performed higher case volumes and used more advanced techniques
Limitations
This survey describes training patterns and practice characteristics but does not evaluate outcomes for children receiving anesthesia or measure the safety or quality impacts of variable training levels. The study cannot determine whether informal training adequately prepares anesthesiologists to care for children safely.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pediatric anesthesia training varies widely across Ibero-America, and many anesthesiologists care for children without formal specialized preparation. AIMS: To describe training patterns, clinical exposure, and practice characteristics in pediatric anesthesia across the region. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to anesthesiologists in 21 Ibero-American countries. Data on training, clinical experience, case volume, and use of pediatric anesthesia techniques were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 1416 respondents, only 27.8% reported formal fellowship training in pediatric anesthesia, while 72.2% developed pediatric skills through routine practice. Most (56.6%) had < 10 years of pediatric anesthesia experience, and 41% dedicated ≤ 20% of clinical time to pediatric cases. Fellowship-trained anesthesiologists performed higher pediatric case volumes and used more advanced techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric anesthesia practice in Ibero-America shows marked heterogeneity and limited structured training. Expanding fellowship programs and increasing opportunities for sustained pediatric clinical exposure are needed to support safe anesthesia care for children.