Students from Boise State’s Department of Respiratory Care joined forces with the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine residents for Anesthesia Airway Day. Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine holds Anesthesia Airway Day in conjunction with the Emergency Medicine Group to showcase the different types of airway management in patients. Students had the opportunity to practice several airway techniques on mannequins and interact with medical students who attend the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine. Several vendors were also in attendance showing off the latest technology in airway management. This event is in its second year, but this is the first time the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine has invited outside groups to help showcase the latest in airway technology.
Dr. Michael Gold, adjunct associate professor and faculty advisor to the Anesthesia Interest Group with the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, invited the Department of Respiratory Care faculty and students to participate in the event to encourage collaboration between the medical residents and the respiratory care students.
“This event promotes hands-on learning, and hands-on events reduce the trepidation of dealing with emergency situations,” said Gold.
Thirteen respiratory care students were on hand to participate in the event and were able to practice their knowledge and skills in intubation, bronchoscopy (video exploration of the lungs) and cricothyroidotomies (emergency surgical insertion of a breathing tube to establish an airway). Additionally, students had the opportunity to get to test state-of-the-art equipment from several vendors at the event.
“This was a great interprofessional opportunity for our students to work alongside medical students and practice skills that they may participate in during their clinical rotations,” said Camille Stover, program director and clinical assistant professor for the Boise State Department of Respiratory Care.
The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private medical school affiliated with Idaho State University. Their mission is to train osteopathic physicians prepared to care for persons in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and beyond. The College received full accreditation by the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and graduated its inaugural class in May 2022. The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine trains high-quality osteopathic physicians prepared to care for people in the Mountain West region and beyond with an emphasis on rural, underserved areas.
Boise State has three respiratory care programs; On Campus Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program, Registered Respiratory Therapy-Bachelor of Science Degree Advancement Online Program and Master of Science in Respiratory Care.