NovPod, a beginner’s guide to anaesthetics, Episode 14: Wellbeing for the anaesthetic trainee with Ramai Santhirapala
Wellbeing is an extremely important aspect of a career in anaesthesia, and we are lucky to have as our special guest Dr Ramai Santhirapala - RCoA Council Member and wellbeing lead - to talk through the challenging aspects of the novice period, anaesthetics as a career and ways to help maintain your wellbeing throughout this time.
The Novpod: a beginner's guide to anaesthetics is created, edited, and co-hosted by Dr Eoin Dore and Dr Duncan Kemp. We are two anaesthetic registrars on a mission to help our new anaesthetic colleagues get to know some of the new concepts you will come across in your novice period, hopefully helping to take away any anxiety around starting your time in anaesthetics.
The NovPod is presented by Anaesthesia on Air, in association with the Royal College of Anaesthesia.
Please note that all opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the individuals appearing on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RCoA.
References/links:
- Novice-Guide/ Wellbeing-support - RCoA novice guide
- Membership/Resources/Wellbeing-hub - RCoA wellbeing hub
- Home/Wellbeing-support - AA
- Youtube Video -Dr Michael Farquhar YouTube video
- Dr Michael Farquhar - Fifteen-minute Consultation- Dr Michael Farquhar - Fifteen-minute consultation: managing the effects of shift work on your health
- Well-being paper by Dr Sinkey, Dr Margolis and Dr Vinson- The Wicked problem of physician well-being paper by Dr Sinskey, Dr Margolis and Dr Vinson
- Fatigue Paper- Fatigue paper
Published September 2023
Eoin graduated from UCL in 2014 and after completing foundation training in London began ACCS anaesthetics training in Birmingham, before starting his registrar training in Thames Valley in 2021. Now starting his ST5 year, he’s taken on a new role as Chief Registrar at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Duncan graduated from UCL in 2014. He trained in Northwest London and is currently an anaesthetic registrar in North Central London.
Dr Ramai Santhirapala qualified from University College London (UCL), and undertook her dual certified UK training in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine in East Anglia and London. She was appointed as a Consultant Anaesthetist and Perioperative Medicine Lead at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in 2018, alongside an Honorary Associate Professor at UCL.
During her time as an anaesthetist, Ramai has published in the remit of novel devices, perioperative care and shared decision making. She has worked closely with the College since 2015 through her role at the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. She has a keen interest in ensuring healthcare decisions are made in partnership with patients (‘no decision about me, without me’) and has represented anaesthesia at the national and international level within this remit.
Ramai joined the College as a Council member during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a firm advocate that workforce wellbeing lies at the heart of high quality patient care. As someone who remains rooted in Sri Lankan culture, Ramai believes an inclusive and diverse workforce brings opportunities, fresh perspectives and creative solutions.
Outside medicine, Ramai is a keen writer and is a correspondent for the international magazine Hinduism Today and is an occasional blogger. She enjoys yoga, hiking and is an amateur veena player.