Becoming the temporary surgeon: A grounded theory examination of anaesthetists performing emergency front of neck access in inter-disciplinary simulation-based training

Silverio, Sergio A ORCID: 0000-0001-7177-3471, Wallace, Hilary, Gauntlett, William, Berwick, Richard, Mercer, Simon, Morton, Ben, Rogers, Simon N, Sandars, John E, Groom, Peter and Brown, Jeremy M (2021) Becoming the temporary surgeon: A grounded theory examination of anaesthetists performing emergency front of neck access in inter-disciplinary simulation-based training PLOS ONE, 16 (3). e0249070-. ISSN 1932-6203, 1932-6203

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Abstract

The time-critical 'can't intubate, can't oxygenate' [CICO] emergency post-induction of anaesthesia is rare, but one which, should it occur, requires Anaesthetists to perform rapid emergency front of neck access [FONA] to the trachea, restoring oxygenation, and preventing death or brain hypoxia. The UK Difficult Airway Society [DAS] has directed all Anaesthetists to be trained with surgical cricothyroidotomy [SCT] as the primary emergency FONA method, sometimes referred to as 'Cric' as a shorthand. We present a longitudinal analysis using a classical approach to Grounded Theory methodology of ten Specialist Trainee Anaesthetists' data during a 6-month training programme delivered jointly by Anaesthetists and Surgeons. We identified with a critical realist ontology and an objectivist epistemology meaning data interpretation was driven by participants' narratives and accepted as true accounts of their experience. Our theory comprises three themes: 'Identity as an Anaesthetist'; 'The Role of a Temporary Surgeon'; and 'Training to Reconcile Identities', whereby training facilitated the psychological transition from a 'bloodless Doctor' (Anaesthetist) to becoming a 'temporary Surgeon'. The training programme enabled Specialist Trainees to move between the role of control and responsibility (Identity as an Anaesthetist), through self-described 'failure' and into a role of uncertainty about one's own confidence and competence (The Role of a Temporary Surgeon), and then return to the Anaesthetist's role once the airway had been established. Understanding the complexity of an intervention and providing a better insight into the training needs of Anaesthetic trainees, via a Grounded Theory approach, allows us to evaluate training programmes against the recognised technical and non-technical needs of those being trained.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Intubation, Intratracheal, Anesthesiology, Adult, Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Male, Grounded Theory, Simulation Training, Anesthesiologists
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	04 May 2022 09:51
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 08:36
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0249070
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249070
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3154271
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