CCT in Anaesthetics - Core Level Training

Published: 14/08/2019

Perioperative Medicine

This unit of training is intended to run in parallel with other units of training and is not designed to be undertaken as a standalone dedicated unit. The learning outcomes are applicable to all patients and will be achievable during clinical practice whilst undertaking the other units of training. However, Perioperative Medicine elements remain within the obstetric and paediatric units of training as these elements are less transferable to other areas of anaesthesia. 

Learning outcomes:

  • Explains the main patient, anaesthetic and surgical factors influencing patient outcomes  
  • Describes the benefits of patient-centred, multidisciplinary care 
  • Delivers high quality preoperative assessment, investigation and perioperative management of ASA 1-3 patients for elective and emergency surgery with emphasis on the perioperative management of co-existing medical conditions
  • Delivers high quality individualised anaesthetic care to ASA 1-2 [E] patients, focusing on optimising patient experience and outcome
  • Plans and implements high quality individualised post-operative care for ASA 1-2 [E] patients

NB: All competencies annotated with the letter ‘E’ can be examined in any of the components of the Primary examination identified in the FRCA examination blueprint on page B-99 or in the Final examination identified in the Final FRCA blueprint on page C72 of Annex C.

Preoperative care:

Knowledge

Competence

Description

Assessment

Methods

GMP

POM_BK_01

Describes the importance of comorbid disease in the planning and safe conduct of anaesthesia

A,C,E

1,2

POM_BK_02

Describes the role of ‘do not resuscitate’ procedures

A,C,E

1,3,4

POM_BK_03

Describes the effects of acute and chronic disease on patient outcomes after surgery

A,C,E

1,2

POM_BK_04

Describes the requirements for preoperative investigations including indications for specific tests

A,C,E

1,2

POM_BK_05

Interprets fundamental preoperative investigations

A,C,D,E

1

POM_BK_06

Describes the adjustments needed to provide anaesthesia for the following patient groups: the elderly, pregnant women, patients with cognitive impairment, patients with chronic pain, and substance misusers

A,C,E

1,3

POM_BK_07

Recounts implications of lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol intake and substance abuse on patient outcomes  

A,C,E

1,3

POM_BK_08

Discusses the management of concurrent medication in the perioperative period  

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_09

Describes thromboprophylaxis in the perioperative period

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_10

Describes methods of risk assessment and stratification relevant to the provision of perioperative care  

A,C,E

1,2

POM_BK_11

Describes methods of patient optimisation which reduce risk in the perioperative period

A,C,E

1,2

POM_BK_12

Describes how integrated perioperative care pathways in primary and secondary care affect patient outcomes

A,C,E

3

POM_BK_13

Describes specific organisational interventions which improve patient outcomes (e.g. care bundles, enhanced recovery pathways)

A,C,E

1,2,3

POM_BK_14

Describes the legal and ethical principles for obtaining informed consent in adults and the correct processes for patients who are unable to consent

A,C,E

3,4

POM_BK_15

Describes the legal and ethical considerations for determining mental capacity

A,C,E

3,4

POM_BK_16

Explains how patients requiring emergency surgery may differ from those presenting for elective surgery in terms of physiology, psychology and preparation

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_17

Describes optimal perioperative fluid and feeding regimes 

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_18

Describes the impact of nutritional status on patient outcomes 

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_19

Describes the effects of ethnicity on physiology

C,E

1,3,4

Skills

Competence

Description

Assessment

Methods

GMP

POM_BS_01

Conducts a comprehensive preoperative assessment in the outpatient clinic 

A,D,E

1,3

POM_BS_02

Assesses patient suitability for day case admission

A,C,E

1,2,3

POM_BS_03

Evaluates co-morbidity in ASA 1-3 patients 

A,C,E

1,3

POM_BS_04

Initiates optimisation where appropriate

A, C, D

1,3

POM_BS_05

Organises appropriate special investigations

A,C,D,E

3

POM_BS_06

Makes appropriate referrals to other specialties when required

A,C,E

3

POM_BS_07

Works in a multi-professional team and ensures effective communication with other members

A,E,M

3

POM_BS_08

Communicates anaesthetic options with patients or surrogates effectively

A,D,E

3,4

POM_BS_09

Synthesises relevant information to develop a safe anaesthetic plan, taking the patient’s wishes into consideration

A,C,D,E

1,3

POM_BS_10

Treats all patients with respect and compassion, especially those with particular physical, psychological and educational needs

(See Annex A, Domain 10 of CCT in Anaesthetics, 2010)

A,D,M

3,4

 

Intraoperative care:

Knowledge

Competence

Description

Assessment

Methods

GMP

POM_BK_20

Describes risks and benefits of different anaesthetic techniques including their effect on early mobilisation and restoration of function

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_21

Describes the effect of perioperative analgesia on patient outcome

A,C,D,E

1

POM_BK_22

Describes strategies to minimise the risk of infection in the postoperative period 

A,C,E

1,2

POM_BK_23

Describes the effect of hypothermia on patient outcome  

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_24

Develops an effective patient-specific strategy to minimise post-operative nausea and vomiting  

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_25

Lists the risk factors for  postoperative cognitive dysfunction

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_26

Recalls principles of advanced haemodynamic monitoring

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_27

Describes perioperative fluid management strategies, with reference to maintaining homeostasis

A,C,E

1

POM_BK_28

Explains the indications for the use of blood products and describes the effective management of major haemorrhage  

A,C,E

1,3

POM_BK_29

Describes the consequences of failing to maintain normal biochemical parameters, e.g. acid-base balance, blood glucose

A,C,E

1

POM_BS_11

Uses operating theatre safety checklists effectively (at the appropriate time, avoiding distraction and engaging the full team)

D,M,S

2,3

POM_BS_12

Administers intravenous fluids and blood products appropriately

A,E,S

1

POM_BS_13

Uses non-invasive and invasive monitoring appropriately

A,D,S

1

POM_BS_14

Employs effective techniques to minimise the risk of aspiration of gastric contents in at-risk patients

A,D,S

1

POM_BS_15

Employs effective strategies to maintain normal body temperature intraoperatively

A,E,S

1

 

Postoperative care:

Knowledge

Competence

Description

Assessment

Methods

GMP

POM_BK_30

Describes the consequences of postoperative malnutrition

C,E

1

POM_BK_31

Describes a patient-centred approach to postoperative analgesia and demonstrates understanding of the importance of providing adequate analgesia in the context of perioperative care

A,C,D,E

3,4

POM_BK_32

Describes the indications for Critical Care admission postoperatively

A,C,E

1,2

POM_BK_33

Describes the components of a safe and effective immediate postoperative plan (e.g. oxygen therapy, frequency and nature of observations, antibiotic prescription, thromboprophylaxis, management of glycaemic control etc.)

A,C,E

1

Skills

Competence

Description

Assessment

Methods

GMP

POM_BS_16

Recognises limits of competence and seeks advice where appropriate when managing of postoperative complications

A,C,E,M

3,4

POM_BS_17

Plans the transition from intravenous to enteral hydration, nutrition and analgesia where appropriate

C,E

1

POM_BS_18

Manages postoperative nausea and vomiting effectively

A,C,E

1

POM_BS_19

Manages coexisting disease and medications in the immediate postoperative period in ASA 1-3 patients

A,C,E

1

POM_BS_20

Recognises common anaesthetic and surgical complications

A,C,E

1

POM_BS_21 Demonstrates a multidisciplinary approach by ensuring effective handover of care to other professionals A,C,M 3