Identifying and exploring factors influencing career choice, recruitment and retention of anaesthesia trainees in the UK.
BACKGROUND
Many acute hospital specialties are experiencing low recruitment and high attrition of trainees. Understanding what is important to current trainees is critical in terms of identifying and addressing factors which adversely affect recruitment and retention.


OBJECTIVE
To identify and explore factors involved in anaesthetic trainees' career decision making.


METHODS
This was a mixed methods study using a questionnaire survey (assessing how influential 18 different factors were when choosing anaesthetics, using a five-point Likert scale), supplemented by semi-structured interviews, carried out in August-December 2014, in Scotland, UK.


RESULTS
42/68 (62%) completed responses were received, representing over half of all core (58%) and Acute Care Common Stem (65%) trainees across Scotland. Overall, questionnaire data indicated that the following were most important in career decision making: perceived job satisfaction among those already in the specialty, structured training, the nature of the work (practical, varied, immediate outcomes). Thirteen interviews were carried out. These highlighted that prior positive exposure and experience with anaesthetists encouraged trainees into the specialty. Enthusiastic, supportive colleagues and structured training (including clear milestones, regular teaching and feedback) were considered to enhance the quality of training. Sustainable working conditions, flexibility within programme and out-of-programme opportunities were valued. Respondents reported concerns about the impact of increasing service delivery demands on training quality.


CONCLUSIONS
Many of the elements important to today's anaesthetics trainees are related to positive learning and working environments. This fits with research findings from other professional groups. These findings can inform the development of programmes which cultivate trainee commitment to, and enthusiasm for, anaesthetics.
The Institute of Education for Medical and Dental Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
J N
JN
Moore
Department of Anaesthesia, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK.
A J
AJ
McDiarmid
North Region, Scotland Deanery, NHS Education for Scotland, Aberdeen, UK.
P W
PW
Johnston
The Institute of Education for Medical and Dental Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
J A
JA
Cleland
D000328:Adult; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013038:Specialization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
ANAESTHETICS; MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING