Impact of Unexpected Death in a Simulation Scenario on Skill Retention, Stress, and Emotions: A Simulation-Based Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction The simulation of patient death remains controversial in simulation-based education. We investigated the effect of simulated patient death on learners' skill retention, stress levels, and emotions. Methods After ethics approval, we recruited residents at two Canadian universities.

Substance abuse: a national survey of Canadian residency program directors and site chiefs at university-affiliated anesthesia departments.

Purpose: The abuse of substances available to anesthesiologists in their workspace is a potentially lethal occupational hazard. Our primary objective was to define the prevalence of substance abuse cases among Canadian anesthesiologists at university-affiliated hospitals. Our secondary aim was to describe the current management of confirmed cases, rehabilitation procedures being offered, and preventative strategies being employed.

The role of simulation in continuing medical education for acute care physicians: a systematic review.

Objectives: We systematically reviewed the effectiveness of simulation-based education, targeting independently practicing qualified physicians in acute care specialties. We also describe how simulation is used for performance assessment in this population.

Data Sources: Data source included: DataMEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane CENTRAL Database of Controlled Trials, and National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database.

Pay for performance in the intensive care unit--opportunity or threat?

Objective: Ongoing evidence of poor-quality healthcare has stimulated the development of provider reimbursement schemes linked to the delivery of high-quality care. Our objective was to describe these programs and their potential implementation in intensive care units (ICUs).

Sources: MEDLINE (2000-May, 2008) and personal files.