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Anesthesia nursing trainees at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg spend four weeks independently and closely supervising an operating room / innovative teaching concept offers practical experience and promotes skills

Learning practical skills and personal responsibility in a specially designed setting at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg: this is made possible by the Anesthesia Nursing Competence Weeks (KoWo), which have been supplementing training as an anesthesia technical assistant (ATA) at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg since this year. The KoWo project offers trainees the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the anesthesiological care of patients in the anesthesia area of trauma surgery and at the same time learn to work independently and responsibly as an ATA.

KoWo follows the university hospital's very successful nursing training concept, which offers a protected space to learn their diverse tasks in interprofessional and interdisciplinary training wards. "We are happy to support KoWo's goal of not only imparting theoretical knowledge to the trainees, but also giving them the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice," says Prof. Dr. Hartmut Bürkle, Medical Director of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "The daily supervision by experienced nursing staff with the highest possible level of personal responsibility also guarantees comprehensive support and greater individual support for the trainees."

Practice-oriented training and skills development

The project is divided into several phases, starting with an introductory week in which the trainees take part in practical exercises and familiarize themselves with the technical basics. Three trainees are then deployed in an operating room and recovery room for four weeks at a time, where they take on the tasks of an anesthesia technician. They are supported by experienced nursing staff from the anesthesia department. "In this way, we want to offer our trainees the ideal framework to strengthen their practical, social and professional skills," says Cynthia Lavoie, main practice instructor for anesthesia nursing at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. The project is being supported by the Academy for Medical Professions by teachers Clara Richter and Judith Herttrich. A total of 15 ATA trainees are set to take part in the KoWo project until August 2024.

Anesthesia technical assistance

ATAs are specially trained professionals who support anaesthetists in the preparation, performance and follow-up of anaesthesia. They play a central role in the surgical team by ensuring the safety and well-being of patients during surgical procedures and the post-operative phase.

Captions

Image 1: After the operation, patients are cared for by the trainees in the recovery room.

Image 2: During the operation, the ATA students assist with the preparation and administration of anesthesia.