Shaping the Future of Regional Anaesthesia Education: Highlights from the 6th ESRA Instructor Course

Shaping the Future of Regional Anaesthesia Education: Highlights from the 6th ESRA Instructor Course

12–13 December 2025 | Antwerp, Belgium

The 6th ESRA Instructor Course once again brought together a vibrant community of anaesthesiologists committed to advancing education in regional anaesthesia. Hosted at the conveniently located Lindner Hotel Antwerp, just a short walk from the city centre and easily accessible by rail and air, the course provided an ideal setting for two days of learning, collaboration, and professional growth.

Importantly, the course was exceptionally well organised by ESRA Event Manager Vivien Penning-Titze, who ensured that everything ran smoothly throughout. Her careful coordination kept all sessions on schedule and contributed significantly to the seamless flow and overall success of the event.

Building Better Educators

The first day focused on the foundations of effective teaching. Kris Vermeylen opened the course with an engaging session on the stages of learner development, guiding participants through the progression from unconscious incompetence to conscious competence. This framework set the tone for a day dedicated to refining teaching skills.

Bram Keunen followed with practical insights into delivering impactful conference lectures. Simple yet powerful techniques—such as limiting slides to under one minute each, applying the 6×6 rule, and using clear fonts and restrained colour schemes—resonated strongly with participants.

Feedback, a cornerstone of medical education, was explored in depth by Mathias Desmet. Beyond traditional models like the “feedback sandwich” and the “One-Minute Preceptor”, participants were introduced to alternative approaches such as ALOBA. The session concluded with a memorable “10 commandments of feedback,” offering practical guidance for everyday teaching. In today’s fast-paced working environment, workplace conflicts are becoming increasingly common. It is essential that we develop the ability to recognise and actively manage these situations. Such soft skills are vital—not only for those in leadership roles, but also in everyday interactions, particularly in the operating theatre (especially when working with surgeons 😉).

The joint presentation by Barbara Breebaart and Brian O’Donnell on verbal and non-verbal communication highlighted just how powerful our words can be—both in supporting and potentially harming those around us. It also emphasised the crucial role of “body language” in building trust and effective communication between anaesthesiologists and patients, particularly in situations where time for interaction is often very limited.

The day concluded with a memorable evening at the De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery. A guided tour and beer tasting provided a relaxed atmosphere for networking, strengthening connections within the ESRA community.

Expanding Educational Horizons

Day two shifted focus toward teaching methodologies and hands-on training. Josip Azman delivered an inspiring session on the role of simulation in developing both procedural skills and team communication. Loes Bruijstens shared her expertise in didactics and assessment, introducing the refreshing perspective of focusing not only on “how to do it right,” but also on “how not to do it wrong.”

Peter Merjavy provided valuable insights into cadaveric workshops in modern medical education. Emphasising the use of soft-embalmed or fresh frozen cadavers, he demonstrated how these approaches allow realistic ultrasound-guided procedures. His experience also shed light on the logistical complexities of organising such workshops while ensuring fairness and maximising hands-on opportunities.

Unfortunately, Eric Albrecht’s session had to be cancelled at short notice due to health reasons, and the organisers extend their best wishes for his recovery.

Learning by Doing: Practical Sessions

A defining feature of the course was its interactive, small-group practical sessions:

• Delivering Feedback: Participants presented short, non-medical talks and practised structured feedback, receiving guidance from both peers and faculty.
• Workshop Demonstration Skills: Faculty simulated challenging learner scenarios, helping participants develop strategies to manage difficult teaching situations in a supportive and engaging environment.
• Teaching Procedural Skills: This session focused on adapting teaching approaches to different trainee personalities and skill levels, all while maintaining patient safety.

A Growing Success

This was the second time the course was held at this venue, with improvements made based on previous participant feedback. Moving to a larger room ensured that the 10 small groups—comprising 36 participants in total—could work effectively without interference during practical sessions.

Despite a few last-minute cancellations due to travel disruptions, the course once again reached near full capacity, highlighting its continued popularity and relevance.

Looking Ahead

The success of the 6th ESRA Instructor Course reaffirms the importance of investing in high-quality medical education. By equipping clinicians with the skills to teach, communicate, and lead effectively, ESRA continues to strengthen the future of regional anaesthesia.

As enthusiasm for the course remains high, its ongoing development promises to further enhance the educational experience for ESRA members in the years to come.