BACKGROUND

Nontechnical skills (NTS) such as communication, teamwork, leadership, situation awareness, and decision-making are crucial for patient safety in anesthesia practice. Despite growing recognition of their importance, implementation of structured NTS training in anesthesia education remains variable.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aims to map the current landscape of NTS training approaches in anesthesia residency programs globally over the past decade (2015–2025) to identify implementation patterns, assessment methodologies, and gaps in existing programs.

METHODOLOGY

Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies focusing on NTS training in anesthesia education published between January 2015 and February 2025 were included. Two-phase study selection involved title/abstract screening followed by full-text review with standardized criteria. Data regarding training approaches, assessment methods, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS

Ten studies from eight countries met the inclusion criteria. Simulation-based training was the predominant educational approach (7/10 studies), with the anesthetists’ NTS framework being the most commonly utilized assessment tool. Teamwork, situation awareness, and decision-making were the most frequently targeted skill domains. Significant variability was observed in implementation approaches, ranging from isolated workshops to longitudinally integrated curricula.

CONCLUSION

While progress has been made in incorporating NTS into anesthesia training, notable gaps persist in longitudinal integration, cultural adaptation, and standardized assessment. Future research should focus on developing structured, evidence-based curricula to enhance patient safety outcomes.

Human ; Patient Safety ; Simulation Training

BACKGROUND

Nontechnical skills (NTS) such as communication, teamwork, leadership, situation awareness, and decision-making are crucial for patient safety in anesthesia practice. Despite growing recognition of their importance, implementation of structured NTS training in anesthesia education remains variable.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aims to map the current landscape of NTS training approaches in anesthesia residency programs globally over the past decade (2015–2025) to identify implementation patterns, assessment methodologies, and gaps in existing programs.

METHODOLOGY

Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies focusing on NTS training in anesthesia education published between January 2015 and February 2025 were included. Two-phase study selection involved title/abstract screening followed by full-text review with standardized criteria. Data regarding training approaches, assessment methods, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS

Ten studies from eight countries met the inclusion criteria. Simulation-based training was the predominant educational approach (7/10 studies), with the anesthetists’ NTS framework being the most commonly utilized assessment tool. Teamwork, situation awareness, and decision-making were the most frequently targeted skill domains. Significant variability was observed in implementation approaches, ranging from isolated workshops to longitudinally integrated curricula.

CONCLUSION

While progress has been made in incorporating NTS into anesthesia training, notable gaps persist in longitudinal integration, cultural adaptation, and standardized assessment. Future research should focus on developing structured, evidence-based curricula to enhance patient safety outcomes.

Human ; Patient Safety ; Simulation Training

BACKGROUND

Nontechnical skills (NTS) such as communication, teamwork, leadership, situation awareness, and decision-making are crucial for patient safety in anesthesia practice. Despite growing recognition of their importance, implementation of structured NTS training in anesthesia education remains variable.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aims to map the current landscape of NTS training approaches in anesthesia residency programs globally over the past decade (2015–2025) to identify implementation patterns, assessment methodologies, and gaps in existing programs.

METHODOLOGY

Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies focusing on NTS training in anesthesia education published between January 2015 and February 2025 were included. Two-phase study selection involved title/abstract screening followed by full-text review with standardized criteria. Data regarding training approaches, assessment methods, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS

Ten studies from eight countries met the inclusion criteria. Simulation-based training was the predominant educational approach (7/10 studies), with the anesthetists’ NTS framework being the most commonly utilized assessment tool. Teamwork, situation awareness, and decision-making were the most frequently targeted skill domains. Significant variability was observed in implementation approaches, ranging from isolated workshops to longitudinally integrated curricula.

CONCLUSION

While progress has been made in incorporating NTS into anesthesia training, notable gaps persist in longitudinal integration, cultural adaptation, and standardized assessment. Future research should focus on developing structured, evidence-based curricula to enhance patient safety outcomes.

Human ; Patient Safety ; Simulation Training