United Kingdom Intensive Care Medicine Trainees’ Confidence, Training, and Practice in Pleural Procedures: A Nationwide Survey

Pleural procedures are fundamental skills for intensive care specialists. While competency in these procedures is not explicitly mandated within the Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) curriculum, achieving proficiency remains a vital goal for ICM trainees. Anecdotal evidence suggests that training in this area is often perceived as inadequate, with considerable variability in practice across intensive care units (ICUs). We conducted the first survey of ICM trainees in the UK to evaluate routine practices, formal training, accreditation, and perceived competence. The findings revealed significant gaps in training. Confidence levels in performing chest drain varied widely, and a notable deficiency in thoracic ultrasonography (US) training was identified. Additionally, it was observed that many ICUs frequently rely on non-ICM specialists to perform pleural procedures. These results underscore critical areas for improvement within ICM training. The authors advocate for enhanced education, structured training programmes, and increased support to address these deficiencies. This will ensure that trainees and future consultants are adequately equipped to perform pleural procedures with confidence and competence.