RCoA response to GMC National Training Survey 2021

In response to the GMC National Training Survey 2021, Dr Chris Carey, RCoA Council Member and Chair of the Education, Training and Examinations Board said:

“It is reassuring to see that 95 per cent of Anaesthetists in Training who responded to the survey said that they received a high standard of clinical supervision during the past year. This is despite the challenges and reduction in training opportunities they have faced. This is testament to the dedication of anaesthetic trainers and educators, of whom 63 per cent said they were always able to use time allocated to them to train. Their commitment to the development of the next generation of anaesthetists is to be celebrated by the College and its members.

“However, the findings from the survey highlight that burnout for Anaesthetists in Training has increased since 2020 and remains a real risk to their wellbeing. It’s particularly concerning that almost one quarter have felt too tired to get home safely on a monthly or more frequent basis. 50 per cent of Anaesthetists in Training have no access or availability to education about fatigue in their current placement, with one third reporting fatigue to have some or significant impact on their progress through training. This is an element which the College continues to address through the joint work being undertaken with the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine and the Association of Anaesthetists. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and a change in working arrangements, 33 per cent of Anaesthetists in Training reported working in a service that slowed down their training.

“The College is grateful to Anaesthetists in Training and trainers for their continued and invaluable work in the face of the pandemic. We remain committed to listening to the views expressed in this and other surveys, which will help us improve the experience of training and enable us to work more effectively with key decision makers to advocate for the specialty.”