Reserve your spot for 2027
Email centrerural@otago.ac.nz to reserve your spot in our new procedural sedation in a rural context course.
About the course
The University of Otago’s Centre for Rural Health is running a new simulation-based course for rural practitioners of procedural sedation - SPARC (Simulated Procedural sedation and Analgesia in the Rural Context).
The delivery of procedural sedation by generalist rural practitioners is a valuable skill that can prevent the need for patient transfer to urban centres. It is safe when performed with adequate preparation, knowledge and skill. However, it is generally learnt informally with few practitioners having had formalised training.
This course is unique in that it offers simulation-based training in procedural sedation specifically for the rural context. The course includes independent online learning followed by an intensive simulation workshop spread over two half-days to allow travel to and from the course on the days it runs.
It will be at a level appropriate for those with existing experience of procedural sedation or for those newly developing these skills.
Proposed course content
The course will include:
- Airway assessment
- Risk stratification
- Preparation and planning
- Medications
- Multiple simulated scenarios
- Airway management skills
- Managing complications
- Rural human factors, teamwork and communication
- Monitoring and recovery
- Quality and safety
Cost
- Doctors' Cost: $2000
- Nurses' Cost: $500
Dates
- 12–13 October 2026
- 3–4 December 2026
- 15-16 February 2027
- 2-3 August 2027
- 6-7 December 2027
Location
At this stage, the workshops are mainly held at the Rural Health Academic Centre in Ashburton.
Target audience
Currently this course is being targeted at practicing rural hospital doctors, including rural hospital medicine trainees, as well as rural nurses involved in procedural sedation.
More information
For more information, please contact:
Dr Jack Haywood
Senior Professional Practice Fellow
Email jack.haywood@otago.ac.nz