Search

Training in anaesthesia is one of the cornerstones of the profession. It is often cited as one of the specific attractions of choosing anaesthesia as a career. However, anaesthetists in training are unfortunately not immune from the challenges faced by all resident doctors working within the UK.

In recent years, there have been growing concerns about low morale and burnout. Anaesthetists in training provide a pivotal role in the provision of services in many areas of secondary care. Furthermore, there is a well recognised shortage of consultant anaesthetists in the UK. It’s essential that the NHS is able to train and retain this uniquely skilled workforce to provide care for patients both now and in the future.

It’s apparent from both the College’s own work, such as the 2017 survey on morale and welfare in anaesthetists in training (‘A need to listen’) and also evidence from the GMC’s National Trainee Survey (NTS), that there is a high proportion of anaesthetists in training at risk of burnout. There have also been significant external factors impacting on the training programme, such as the transition to the 2021 curriculum and the COVID-19 pandemic. Competition ratios to enter anaesthetic training are at record levels, and concerns remain about training-post numbers and progression between Core and Higher training programmes.

The Lifelong Learning Platform (LLP) continues to experience very high levels of use, with each month typically seeing more than 500,000 unique actions taking place among its user-base – which is approaching 24,500 – and the LLP team usually receives around 800 emails per month. This article introduces the team and also some of the wider support and governance around the LLP.

The LLP team is headed by Esma Doganguzel, Product Manager, and she is supported by Avia Spiers and Tunde Arowojolu, Product Owners, and Chris Kennedy, Revalidation and CPD Co-ordinator. The team blends strategic oversight, development, training, and regulatory expertise, and is committed to supporting and addressing the evolving needs of our users and to improving the LLP in innovative and progressive ways.

Anaesthetists in training, whatever route they are taking, are the future of our specialty. This is a guiding principle of the College and it cuts across all aspects of our work.

I have always been incredibly impressed by the professionalism, compassion, skill and knowledge of the anaesthetists in training I work with and, as a prospective service user, I can see that the future is bright but that we need to play our part by supporting you to realise that promise.

I hear many positive things from anaesthetists in training, ranging from what you love about the job, to your well-deserved pride in your achievements and your commitment to supporting your patients and colleagues. But I also hear the negative aspects. I hear you when you tell me about training interrupted by the pandemic and the unaddressed trauma from that time. Or how your life and career have been impacted by frequent rotations, exam pressures or difficulty securing a higher training place.