Welfare of Anaesthesia Trainees Survey

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate levels of stress, anxiety or depression and to identify factors compounding or relieving stress in anaesthesia trainees within the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) training scheme. An electronic survey was sent to 999 randomly selected trainees and 428 responses were received. In addition to demographics, psychological wellbeing was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and questions were asked about depression and anxiety, exacerbating factors, personal healthcare and strategies used to manage stress. The majority of respondents (73%) reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their job and training. However, 28% of respondents had K10 scores indicating high or very high distress levels. Eleven percent reported being currently on treatment for anxiety and/ or depression. Twenty-two percent reported having experienced bullying and 14% sexism. Twenty-eight percent reported that they did not have a regular general practitioner (GP), and 41% reported having not visited their GP in the previous year. Fortyseven percent of trainees reported that they self-prescribe medications. Major stressors reported were exams, critical clinical events and fear of making errors. Two stressors previously not identified in similar studies were concern about job prospects in 71% of respondents and workplace-based assessments in 51%. This survey demonstrates significant psychological impairment and poor personal healthcare amongst many trainees. Education, careful continuing assessment of trainees' welfare and a review of current support and remedial measures may be required.

Stress, burnout, depression and work satisfaction among UK anaesthetic trainees; a quantitative analysis of the Satisfaction and Wellbeing in Anaesthetic Training study

“…Work-load > 7.5 h.week À1 was associated with an almost two-fold increase in the likelihood of high stress. The requirement for trainees to undertake examinations, workplace-based assessments and to develop their curriculum vitae may significantly increase work-load outside of contracted hours; these requirements are consistently reported stressors for anaesthetic trainees [10,12,26]. This supports recent calls for UK anaesthetic departments to provide work schedules that facilitate personal and professional development, including consideration of allocating supporting professional activities time for trainees [12].…”

“…A large 2013 study of anaesthetic trainees in the USA reported that 41% were at high risk of burnout and 22% exhibited signs of depression . In a recent survey of 1000 Australian and New Zealand trainee anaesthetists, 28% of respondents reported high or very high psychological distress scores; major stressors were exams, critical clinical incidents, fear of making errors and concerns about job prospects and workplace‐based assessments . In April 2016, UK junior doctors (in response to NHS England's proposed changes to their employment contracts) undertook the first all‐out doctors’ strike in the history of the NHS.…”

Workplace well‐being in pediatric anesthesia: How to design and implement a bespoke evidence‐based framework in your department

“…Examples of strategies for all staff are the provision of safe spaces to rest during night shifts and education to reduce and report sexual harassment and bullying. 24,25 • Secondary prevention strategies are designed to reduce the impact of mental ill health, either in its severity or duration. Examples are the development of a pathway for staff members to access urgent psychological support services, or a department-wide education program about mental ill health and substance abuse.…”

“…Examples of interventions for specific groups are access to study leave for trainees (whose mental well‐being is impacted by examinations or training), access to a designated safe space for breastfeeding or expressing breastmilk, and paid maternity or paternity leave. Examples of strategies for all staff are the provision of safe spaces to rest during night shifts and education to reduce and report sexual harassment and bullying 24,25 Secondary prevention strategies are designed to reduce the impact of mental ill health, either in its severity or duration.…”

An analysis of challenges to ASIC’s s 920A banning orders against financial services providers in the AAT and the courts

“…126 In imposing a six year ban ASIC's delegate determined that by sending these signed letters certifying that a complying investment had been made, Mr Downey had breached 1041H. 127 At the Tribunal Mr Downey maintained the signed letters were only drafts which he had not intended to be forwarded to the relevant government authorities. In rejecting this contention Kendall DP agreed with ASIC that Mr Downey's conduct breached s 1041H and thus warranted a banning order.…”