Peer Teaching in Obstetric Anaesthesia: The OATS Initiative

Background

Anaesthetic trainees' exposure to obstetric teaching varies by hospital site, available teachers, and workload.

Formal teaching opportunities are often limited due to high service demands.

Peer teaching provides a safe, supportive learning environment promoting active participation [1]. Consultant support ensures accurate content and a blended learning approach [2].

 

Aims

• To gather information on anaesthetic trainees’ experience of obstetric teaching for their IACOA in NHS Lothian.

• To design and deliver a trainee-led teaching session for anaesthetists learning obstetric anaesthesia.

• To obtain feedback and adapt future sessions to the learners’ needs.

 

Initial Survey (CT3s n=5)

Satisfaction with obstetric teaching was ≤5/10 in 60% of respondents.

No formal teaching was available beyond the SESSA Obstetrics for CTs day, IACOA Sim Day, and PROMPT.

Trainees requested:

• Specific handling of obstetric emergencies.
• Run through of theatre scenarios with hints and tips.
• Around the time of IACOA.

 

The OATS Solution (OATS = Obstetric Anaesthetic Trainee-Led Teaching Session)

A blended peer-led model developed and run by anaesthetic and obstetric trainees with Consultant oversight:

• Half-day session timed to coincide with IACOA
• Run 3 times per year (23/10/25, 12/12/25, 24/03/26)
• Small groups
• Adapted iteratively from feedback between sessions.

 Targeted Curriculum:

• Epidural Troubleshooting
• Theatre Cases (+ top-up in the labour room)
• Obstetric Emergencies
• An Obstetrician’s Perspective
• Case-based discussion - Challenging cases, no right or wrong answer in a low-stakes environment.

 

Measured Impact (CT2s n=15)

Shown in graphs on the poster (Universal Helpfulness and Confidence Shifts Pre-OATS vs Post-OATS)

Trainee Perspective

• Approachable discussion
• Praised friendly environment and hearing real-world perspectives
• Fills a huge gap
• Useful at point of IACOA to ask all the small silly questions!

 

The Future of OATS

• Expansion to Full Day Sessions
• Hands on Simulation for Difficult Epidurals
• Continuous Adaptation for New Cohorts

 

References

1. Hari R, Oppliger S, Dolmans DHJM et al. Comparison of Practical Skills Teaching by Near-Peers and Faculty. Academic Medicine. 2025 Jul 1;100(7):820-827.

2. Feng H, Luo Z, Wu Z et al. Effectiveness of Peer-Assisted Learning in health professional education: a scoping review of systematic reviews. BMC Med Education. 2024 Dec 18;24(1):1467.