This paper provides an overview of the literature exploring the role of non-technical skills in anaesthesia.
Modern anaesthesia requires the practitioner to be highly trained, knowledgeable and competent in the technical aspects of delivering anaesthesia in order to maintain patient safety. In addition, in common with other high-risk industries, anaesthesia also requires the utilisation of non-technical skills in order to cope with the demands of a complex and dynamic workplace.
Research in this domain has focused on identifying, measuring and training anaesthetist non-technical skills. This included the development and assessment of a behavioural marker tool, alongside multiple research studies using mixed methods.
If you would like to discuss this area of research further please contact Prof Rhona Flin.
This research was conducted in collaboration with the Scottish Clinical Simulation Centre and supported by NHS Education Scotland.
This paper describes the process of developing and evaluating a non-technical skills behavioural marker system for anaesthesia.
This paper measured anaesthestist attitudes towards factors that can influence patient safety.
This paper evaluates the ANTS behavioural marker system.
The ANTS behavioural marker system provides details on how to evaluate anaesthetist non-technical skills.