Being a young and inexperienced trainee anesthetist: a phenomenological study on tough working conditions

Abstract

This study shows that trainee anaesthetists have to live up to high work demands, often with very little support. Because too much stress is an obstacle to professional learning, such working conditions are a hindrance to good specialist education. The first measure to be taken should be to ensure that all trainee anaesthetists always have easy access to senior cover.

Psychological distress, burnout and personality traits in Dutch anaesthesiologists

“…30 Another interesting aspect of these studies is that they reported an increased prevalence of burnout in residents. 28,[31][32][33][34] This is in contrast to the result of the present study, in which burnout was less prevalent in residents (11.3%) than in consultants (19.8%).…”

Stress and burnout in anaesthesia

“…For example, age correlated negatively with stress symptoms, and women on an average had 9% more stress symptoms than men [10,14]. These findings are in line with recent studies on stress in other work domains and clearly demonstrate that the notion of well defined nonspecific pattern of stress symptoms cannot be corroborated.…”

“…Larsson et al [14] documented the anaesthetist's coping strategies at the beginning of their specialist education. Most of them felt that there was an insufficient and inadequate support from consultants and reported social support (asking for advice, discussion and support from colleagues, delegation of work to competent nurses) as the main and effective problem-solving coping strategy.…”

A survey of trainees’ perspectives on epidural training in the United Kingdom

“…Regional or perhaps hospital variation may exist and it would be useful to know what the set standard is and how many epidurals the respondents initially sited under direct supervision. Workplace stress amongst anaesthetists is frequently reported (Larsson, Rosenqvist, Holmstrom, 2006; Jackson, 1999; Houston, Allt, 1999) [14][15][16]. The survey findings are significant and may translate into the need for more direct supervision or a comprehensive training program, including the use of simulation.…”