Training and assessment of skills in neuraxial space access: a scoping review of educational approaches to lumbar puncture, epidural anaesthesia, and spinal anaesthesia
Authors' conclusion
Studies on education in neuraxial space access show substantial variation in educational approaches and assessment. Consistent findings indicate that simulation-based training enhances outcomes across multiple Kirkpatrick levels, although the studies generally have low methodological quality.
Study context
- Population
- Physicians, medical students or nurses in training or assessment of neuraxial space access skills (lumbar puncture, spinal and epidural anaesthesia)
- Participants
- 99 studies
- Outcome
- Characteristics and methodological quality (MERSQI) of included studies on neuraxial space access training and assessment
Methodological detailsMedical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) quality assessment, Kirkpatrick framework, Searches on May 7, 2024 in Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE; no language or date restrictions
- MERSQI quality assessment
- Kirkpatrick framework
- Searches on May 7, 2024 in Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE; no language or date restrictions
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Low quality (MERSQI score <9)
- 28 (28%)
- High quality (MERSQI score ≥14)
- 22 (22%)
- Cohort studies
- 68%
- RCTs
- 24%
- Speciality anaesthesia
- 22%
- Speciality paediatrics
- 17%
- Speciality not reported
- 30%
- Low-fidelity manikins used
- 55%
Original publication
Training and assessment of skills in neuraxial space access: a scoping review of educational approaches to lumbar puncture, epidural anaesthesia, and spinal anaesthesia. Br J Anaesth. Published 7 July 2025. doi:10.
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