Abstract / Summary
Objective To evaluate the potential role of augmented-reality smart glasses (A-SGs) for the assistance of residents in airway management. Design Observer-blinded, parallel-group, randomised trial. Setting An integrated clinical simulation centre. Participants Residents involved in critically ill patient care. Interventions Each participant performed a baseline endotracheal intubation (ETI) trial and a follow-up ETI trial (M1). Before M1 participants were randomly assigned either to the control group (unguided) or to the intervention group (tele-guided with A-SGs). No support was provided to participants during the M0 or during M1 in the control group. Residents allocated to A-SGs received real-time audio and video guidance from an expert in airway management. Main variables Sociodemographic variables, the execution of each ETI step, the ETI efficacy ETI, and all procedural times. Results The 39 residents obtained comparable results at M0. During M1, participants tele-guided with A-SGs performed the ETI in a more organised and structured way, especially when inserting the endotracheal tube ( p = 0.003) and checking its proper placement ( p < 0.001). Higher ETI efficacy was observed in the intervention group compared with the control ( p < 0.001). Within the intervention group itself, significant improvement in intubation efficacy was observed between M0 and M1 ( p < 0.001). Conclusions A-SGs tele-assistance while the trainee shares the airway view with a remote expert is feasible and may have a positive impact on training residents on difficult airway management.