Development and Validation of a Simulation‐Based Pediatric Anesthesia Training Program in Japan: The <scp>J‐MEPA</scp> Initiative

BACKGROUND: Pediatric anesthesia carries a higher risk of complications than adult anesthesia, yet clinical exposure to pediatric cases is increasingly limited in Japan due to declining birth rates and urban-rural disparities. Although simulation-based education improves clinical competency, no validated program exists in Japan for pediatric anesthesia. AIMS: This study aimed to develop and implement a culturally adapted, simulation-based training program for pediatric anesthesia in Japan, the Japanese version of Managing Emergencies in Pediatric Anesthesia (J-MEPA). METHODS: This study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved the translation, cultural adaptation, and feasibility testing of the original English MEPA course. Phase 2 implemented J-MEPA and evaluated inter-rater reliability, criterion-related validity, and educational effectiveness. All simulations were video-recorded; learners' performance was assessed by trained pediatric anesthesiologists using a revised checklist with added sub-items and behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS). The reliability of these assessments was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Validity was examined by correlations between participants' clinical experience and performance scores. Educational effectiveness, focusing on reaction and learning, was measured using a post-course questionnaire with the Kirkpatrick Model. RESULTS: Forty-four participants completed 209 simulations. Inter-rater reliability was acceptable across scenarios (ICCs ranging from 0.54 to 0.86 for the revised checklist; 0.50 to 0.79 for BARS). We explored criterion-related validity, and the positive correlation between BARS scores and pediatric experience was consistent with preliminary validity evidence, whereas the revised checklist scores were modest. Participants reported high satisfaction, engagement, relevance, and increased confidence and motivation to apply skills learned in the course. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese version of MEPA was successfully developed and preliminarily evaluated. We observed acceptable inter-rater reliability, initial evidence of criterion-related validity, and positive educational outcomes. J-MEPA offers a feasible, culturally appropriate approach to addressing pediatric anesthesia training gaps in Japan and may serve as a model for adapting simulation-based training to similar healthcare contexts, while warranting further evaluation in larger and more diverse settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), Japan Trial ID: UMIN000040879.