Evaluating Communication Delays on Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia and Emergency Response in Space Simulations

What this Trial Is About

This research investigates how communication delays impact ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and emergency responses in space simulation scenarios. It focuses on medical teams performing brachial plexus nerve blocks while communicating with remote experts under conditions with and without an 80-second communication delay. The study aims to understand how such delays affect procedural times, image quality, treatment accuracy, and team communication during medical emergencies in space-like conditions. Participants, including medical students and Canadian Armed Forces medical personnel, receive a 4-hour training on nerve block basics before engaging in randomized simulation scenarios. Teams of three complete two scenarios one with real-time communication and one with an induced 80-second delay. They identify nerve structures via ultrasound and respond to emergencies such as local anesthetic systemic toxicity or anaphylaxis, with remote expert guidance. During these scenarios, times to nerve block identification and emergency treatment are recorded. Participants and experts rate image and communication quality. Debriefings explore communication challenges and team functioning. The study measures time differences, ease of imaging, and treatment completeness, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. Total participation includes training, simulation, and debriefing sessions within a single half-day visit.

Impact of Communication Delays on Anesthesia Response to Medical Emergencies and Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia