Rwandan resident experience at the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS) Annual Meeting

Eugene Tuyishime, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine, University of Rwanda

 During my elective rotation at Dalhousie University, I attended the CAS conference, in Niagara Falls in June 2017. The conference theme was Competence By Design – The Future of Education and Assessment in Anesthesiology – From Residency to Retirement. Participants were exposed to cutting edge anesthesiology research, best practice, and hands-on learning experiences. In addition, there was an opportunity to connect with some of the brightest minds in the profession and to learn of new innovations, research and technology.

I participated in the sessions on current update on cardiovascular risk stratification in non-cardiac surgery, airway management, labor analgesia, education and simulation in anesthesia, and global anesthesia.

I learned that anesthesia practice should have evidence-based practice guidelines. Currently, there are no practice guidelines in Rwanda. After attending the CAS meeting, I am motivated to contribute to a plan to develop guidelines in a Rwandan National Surgical Obstetrical Anesthesia Plan. It is my hope that with guidelines and advocacy, the level of anesthesia practice can be improved, with the goal of achieving the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery indicators for accessible, safe, and affordable surgery and anesthesia by 2030.

In addition to the use of guidelines, I observed the commitment of anesthesiologists to the improvement of resident education, such as the development of competency-based medical education. This approach may be introduced in Rwanda residency program in the near future. Finally, I met with wonderful people in the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society International Education Foundation (CASIEF). These people are inspired to contribute to global anesthesia safety.

In the CAS 2017 annual meeting, I was exposed to the recent evidence in anesthesia research and practice, the dedication of anesthesiologists to excellent resident education, and the commitment of CASIEF to improving anesthesia practice in low-income settings. In my context, the Rwanda Society of Anesthesiologists can apply these lessons by developing guidelines of anesthesia practice, supporting resident education, and being more involved in global health activities.

Eugene,