Predicting neonatal intubation competency in trainees.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pediatric residency training programs are graduating residents who are not competent in neonatal intubation, a vital skill needed for any pediatrician involved in delivery room resuscitations. However, a precise definition of competency during training is lacking. The objective of this study was to more precisely define the trajectory toward competency in neonatal intubation for pediatric residents, as a framework for later evaluating complementary training tools. METHODS This is a retrospective single-center observational study of resident-performed neonatal intubations at Duke University Medical Center between 2005 and 2013. Using a Bayesian statistical model, intubation competency was defined when the resident attained a 75% likelihood of intubating their next patient successfully. RESULTS A total of 477 unique intubation attempts by 105 residents were analyzed. The path to proficiency was defined by a categorical or milestone learning event after which all learners move toward competency in a similar manner. In our cohort, 4 cumulative successes were needed to achieve competency. Only 24 of 105 (23%) achieved competency during the study period. Residents who failed their first 2 opportunities, compared with those successful on their first 2 opportunities, needed nearly double the intubation exposure to achieve competency. CONCLUSIONS Bayesian statistics may be useful to more precisely describe neonatal intubation competency in residents. Achieving competency in neonatal intubation appears to be a categorical or milestone learning event whose timing varies between residents. The current educational environment does not provide adequate procedural exposure to achieve competency for most residents.