Help, I'm a specialist!—Perspectives of recently qualified geriatricians on the experiences and challenges of working as a consultant geriatrician

Abstract

Objective To gain insights into the experience and challenges faced by Australasian geriatricians who have recently made the transition from advanced trainee to consultant. Methods An interpretative exploratory qualitative study. Geriatricians with five or less years of experience as consultants were recruited by email. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews, with themes identified through open axial coding. Results Respondents (n = 20) experienced a transition period in which they adjusted to the roles of final decision‐maker and manager. Respondents felt relatively confident with their clinical skills, but under‐prepared for non‐clinical roles associated with becoming a consultant. Most respondents described challenges with career planning. Support networks were considered critical. Conclusions This is the first study in Australasia exploring the transition from trainee to consultant geriatrician. Training programs should endeavour to create “consultant‐like roles” during advanced training and address non‐clinical competencies. Participants perceived that there should be more emphasis on career planning and mentorship.

Understanding the Influence of the Junior Attending Role on Transition to Practice: A Qualitative Study

“…27 An Australasian study of new geriatricians recommended the creation of a ''consultant-like'' role. 28 de Montbrun et al identified 4 phases in the anxiety-provoking transition from surgical resident to attending surgeon, wherein final responsibility for patient care was suddenly assumed. 29 A study of radiation oncologists identified similar needs among trainees and junior faculty and recommended a minimally supervised longitudinal rotation for senior residents to mitigate the gap between residency and independent practice.…”

‘Everyone’s nice, but …’: A qualitative exploration of trainees' experiences of postgraduate geriatric medicine training in Australia

“…Notable examples include a recent paper examining the transition from advanced trainee to consultant, which highlighted several strategies to enhance the transition into the consultant role. 8 Similarly, a survey study of UK geriatricians' reasons for choosing the field identified implications for career development amongst junior doctors. 9 The broader health professional workplace-based learning and assessment literature contain research on how to support the learner, provide effective feedback and construct meaningful assessment processes while preparing the student for clinical practice.…”