Abstract

SANCHEZ-VASQUEZ, Ulises; ESPINO-NUNEZ, Juan Sebastián; FIGUEROA-MORALES, Andrea  and  RUBIO-MARTINEZ, Rodrigo. A model for the assessment of non-technical skills in anesthesiology: a literature review. Rev. mex. anestesiol. [online]. 2022, vol.45, n.1, pp.35-39.  Epub June 13, 2022. ISSN 0484-7903.  https://doi.org/10.35366/102901.

Close to 80% of medical errors are due to human factors (poor communication, inadequate monitoring, failure to check, etc.), which is why training for anaesthetists requires developing essential soft skills for Anaesthesiology. Soft skills are defined as specific cognitive, socio-emotional and interpersonal abilities complementing core skills which contribute to the safe and efficient carrying out of a job-specific task. In 2004, the University of Aberdeen established a first model for defining and evaluating these soft skills. The model consists of 15 elements across four categories: task management, team working, situational awareness and decision-making. The model is a tool employed by postgraduate anaesthesiologists to assess trainees in the operating theatre or through clinical simulation. The validity of this system, as well as its importance for patient safety have been demonstrated in a range of studies.

Keywords : Soft skills; medical errors; human factors; Anaesthetists’ non-technical skills system; clinical simulation.