Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Abstract

Perspectives on Current Mechanical Ventilation Use and Training at Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship Programs in the United States of America

Abdallah Dalabih

Objective: The science of mechanical ventilation (MV) has advanced to include new modalities and strategies utilized based upon patient pathology and illness severity. This requires pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) providers to have a strong knowledge base and experience with many available modalities of MV. Proper management of MV modalities is one of the main competences taught during fellowship training. To characterize the current state of MV training for PCCM fellows in the United States, we surveyed PCCM fellowship program directors (PDs).

Design: A piloted and validated survey was sent to all 67 American PCCM fellowships. Data were collected and managed using REDCap® tools. PDs were surveyed regarding MV modalities used in their units, the training that fellows receive for various modalities, and their confidence in the fellows’ ability in using those modalities.

Results: Forty-eight (71.6%) PCCM PDs responded. A wide variety of conventional MV modes are available for use in PCCM fellowships, with the most common conventional mode used being PRVC-SIMV (27;56%) followed by PC-SIMV (13;27%). Of the “non-conventional” MV modes, more used APRV (26;54%) than HFOV (10;21%).

Published Date: 2020-09-18; Received Date: 2020-08-22