Trainee Impact on Procedural Complications: An Analysis of 967 Consecutive Flexible Bronchoscopy Procedures in an Interventional Pulmonology Practice

Background: Increased complications have been demonstrated in patients undergoing some medical procedures performed by trainees. Flexible bronchoscopy is generally considered a safe procedure; however, complications can include pneumothorax, bleeding and even death. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the impact of trainees during interventional pulmonology procedures on procedure time, sedation use and complications. Methods: A retrospective review of a quality improvement database from all consecutive medical procedures performed by an interventional pulmonologist (D.R.S.) at the University of Calgary, from July 1, 2007, to April 1, 2011. Results: Of 1,100 consecutive procedures during the study period, 967 were flexible bronchoscopies. A trainee participated in 82.2% of the procedures. Complications occurred in 38 patients (3.9%). No death occurred. Significant differences were seen when a trainee participated in the procedure versus when no trainee participated for procedure length [50.81 vs. 32.49 min, difference 18.32 min (95% CI 16.04-20.60), p = 0.001], dose of midazolam used [6.34 vs. 5.73 mg, difference 0.61 mg (95% CI 0.15-1.08), p = 0.01], dose of propofol used [153.08 vs. 111.60 mg, difference 41.48 mg (95% CI 21.81-61.15), p = 0.001], as well as the number of complications [4.5 vs. 1.2%, difference 3.3%, p = 0.048]. Conclusions: In an academic interventional pulmonology practice utilizing the apprenticeship model for procedural education, trainee participation in procedures can increase procedure time and the amount of sedation required, and result in increased complications. Medical procedural training methods that do not involve practicing on patients warrant further investigation in order to reduce the burden of procedural learning for patients.