Paediatric trainees and the transportation of critically ill neonates: experience, training and confidence

Aim : To study the experience of, training in, and confidence in the transportation of critically ill neonates amongst paediatric trainees in one UK region. Design : An anonymized questionnaire was sent to all middle grades with paediatrics National Training Numbers from the Trent region. Results : The response rate was 78%. Less than half (45%) of the respondents reported receiving any training in the transportation of neonates, either in the UK or abroad; 45% (30/66) of the trainees reported having performed 10 or fewer neonatal transfers. The self‐perceived confidence for transporting neonates was scored on a 10‐point scale, to produce a “confidence score”, the median score being 7 (IQ range 5, 8). Both as a group and individually, the trainee paediatricians were more confident in transporting neonates than older infants or children ( p < 0.0001). Using multiple analysis of covariance, it was found that the most important and significant variables affecting the “confidence scores” for the inter‐hospital transportation of critically ill neonates were receipt of any relevant transport training, and the current frequency of transports performed. Conclusions : Many training‐grade paediatricians lack both the experience and training in transporting critically ill neonates, factors that were found to affect their confidence in transferring sick neonates. As the overwhelming majority of neonatal transports in the UK are still arranged by individual units and performed by training‐grade paediatricians, concerns regarding both the safety and effectiveness of the current service provision for the inter‐hospital transfer of critically ill neonates remain valid.