Resident and Fellow Corner
Opportunities for Becoming Involved in the SPS!
Becky Burger, MD
Section Editor
Opportunities To Become Involved in SPS!
Welcome to the residents and fellows corner of the SPS newsletter. I am Becky Burger, a pediatric emergency medicine fellow interested in pediatric sedation. This section will cover topics of interest to residents and fellows.
As part of pediatric training, the ACGME requires that residents have training in procedural sedation. During my residency, I had some exposure but limited instruction in procedural sedation. For residents interested in procedural sedation, I recommend asking your residency director how to get more exposure. I did an elective in procedural sedation during my last year of residency which was a good introduction to sedation for me. As a resident, you can also become involved in the Society for Pediatric Sedation.
There are more specific procedural sedation requirements for pediatric emergency medicine fellows. The ACGME requires that pediatric emergency medicine fellowship curriculum include supervised experiences, didactic training and clinical exposure in the area of sedation and analgesia. During my first month of fellowship, I attended the SPS Sedation Provider Course®. For residents and fellows, this is a great introduction to procedural sedation. The course includes some didactic instruction, but the majority of the course is simulation based. It was a low stress, non-threatening way to practice procedural sedation and troubleshoot adverse events that can occur during procedural sedation.
A warning though to potential course participants: make sure to read the entire manual prior to the course! Unlike other courses, residents and fellows are encouraged or required to attend, the SPS Sedation Provider Course® does not review the material covered in the manual during the course. Reading the manual, while tedious, is necessary to understanding the key material necessary for performing procedural sedation, not to mention passing the SPS Sedation Provider Course® examination.
As a fellow, performing a sedation procedure is exciting, but at times anxiety provoking. Anticipating adverse events, and preparing to intervene if necessary, are the keys to performing a sedation procedure. With each sedation procedure, I feel less anxious and more prepared. Continuing to expose yourself to sedation procedures and practicing your skills in simulation are the best ways for preparing yourself to fly solo.
For residents and fellows interested in procedural sedation, I encourage you to continue to increase your exposure and experience in procedural sedation. To best address the needs and interests of residents and fellows, I ask that you contact me with ideas or topics to cover in this section. If you would like to contribute to this section, please contact me at bburger@cmh.edu.
