A survey of the practice of regional anesthesia in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE This survey aimed to assess both the extent of practice and need for training in regional anesthesia among anesthesiologists in Saudi Arabia in 2012. METHODS We distributed an electronic survey among 382 anesthesiologists attending the bi-annual meetings of the Saudi Anesthetic Association, enquiring about their practice in regional anesthesia. Questions concerned the practice of regional anesthesia, use of ultrasound guidance, and the need for training workshops. RESULTS The response rate of anesthetists was 55.2% with most of them were males and had mean age of 25-50 years. Most anesthesiologists (88.2%) were practicing regional anesthesia frequently in the operating rooms (75.3%) rather than designated block room. From the respondents, only 14.2% did fellowship in regional anesthesia, 21.8% and 18.5% were using ultrasound and nerve stimulation guidance, respectively, 11.4% received formal training, and 86.3% were willing to attend training workshops on regional anesthesia. There was a significant negative correlation between the ultrasound users and their institutional positions (r=-0.191) (P=0.026). CONCLUSIONS We believe that more could be done to improve the practice of regional anesthesia in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the implementation of formal training and conduction of more frequent specialized courses/workshops in the field of regional anesthesia with special reference to ultrasound regional anesthesia blockade techniques.