Training in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care

Trained people behave more appropriately in all relevant professional circumstances. They have greater cognitive skills; put simply, they know more, and performance becomes more effective. They possess the relevant motor skills, so that practical performance becomes more effective. They have the ability to make reasoned judgements and implement decisions based on their knowledge and skills. Effective training seeks to develop all three of these aspects, although the usual forms of examination tests only cognitive skills and, to some extent, the ability to make judgements and decisions. Motor skills can be assessed during training, but formal assessment is often neglected in training programmes. The use of simulators in training (see below) enables all three forms of behaviour to be assessed. The behaviour of doctors is also influenced by instinctive beliefs and attitudes, but these are difficult to assess.