CT3 Equivalent Post Survey Results

The Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Association of Anaesthetists and the British Medical Association would like to thank all the anaesthetists who participated in our recent CT3 Equivalent Post Survey.

We had 183 respondents, of whom 71 per cent had previously applied for higher anaesthetic training. 78 per cent of respondents applied for their current post with the aim of achieving CT3 competencies, with 65 per cent in a post which was specifically advertised as being CT3 equivalent. While 68 per cent said the post met their expectations, with 11 per cent  saying it exceeded them, 17 per cent stated their current post fell below expectations.

The free text comments showed that at a local level many respondents are being well supported within their departments. Some comments were more negative, with individuals reporting they felt they were in posts more focussed on service provision, without the same support and opportunities as provided to anaesthetists in formal training posts. Indeed, despite joint guidance from our three organisations stating that departments advertising posts as CT3 equivalent should ensure equity with formal ST3 posts, our respondents reported:

• 85 per cent have access to study leave, but only 46 per cent say it is equivalent to the time an anaesthetist in a formal training post receives;
• 65 per cent have access to a study budget, but only 15 per cent receive as much as those in a training post;
• 39 per cent do not receive the same educational opportunities as those in training posts;
• and, 15 per cent of respondents from England and 12 per cent from the other UK nations reported a drop in pay with their new post.

The majority of respondents still intend to pursue higher training in anaesthesia at the next or future rounds of application; however, 58 per cent feel less confident than a year ago about their chance of securing such a post. Many of the free text comments revealed uncertainty about what is required to evidence CT3 and Stage 1 Equivalence, and anxiety about the competition ratios for higher training posts. We have also heard that many feel juggling their clinical work with the requirements of training is onerous enough without also having to undertake additional activities to enhance the competitiveness of their applications.

More than 60 per cent feel negative or somewhat negative about both life and their future in anaesthesia.

A more detailed analysis of the survey is pending, in the meantime we will be taking a series of more immediate actions to support the anaesthetists in these posts as they plan their future in anaesthesia.

We will be contacting the Clinical Directors network, College Tutors, Trainee Network Links, and Departmental Links to highlight the findings of the survey, remind them of our guidance for these CT3 Equivalent posts, and share examples of good practice from the feedback our survey respondents have provided.

Any anaesthetist who feels their pay has dropped can access pay calculating materials on the BMA website and BMA members can get personal advice and assistance in correcting pay errors.

The RCoA is reviewing the resources currently provided on the capabilities required for CT3 Equivalence, and how to evidence them, and will re-share and add to this where needed to improve the information available. We will also soon be publishing guidance on flexibility in training, which will outline how up to 12 months of experience out with a training program can be counted towards CCT. This will be in addition to time spent in a CT3 equivalent post. Together our organisations will look at other ways in which we can produce materials, events and support tailored for this valued group of anaesthetists.

Please continue to monitor our websites, e-newsletters and emails for updates on these activities and the formal publication of the full results of this survey.