# The Art and Science of Securing an Anaesthesiology Training Job: A Survey of the Key Factors in Two Australian Tertiary Hospitals

## TL;DR

This survey identifies key factors that help secure an anaesthesiology training job in Australian hospitals, including clinical knowledge and relevant experience.

## Contribution

The study provides the first survey-based insights into selection criteria for anaesthetic training in Australia.

## Key findings

- Clinical anaesthetic knowledge and critical care experience are highly valued by selection panels.
- Anaesthetic experience of more than six months and strong referee reports are considered most important.
- Non-technical skills and competition for positions are also significant factors in the selection process.

## Abstract

Background

There is no specific formal guidance on what prospective trainees must focus on to secure an anaesthetic training position in Australia, and there is little in the literature to advise both applicants and their mentors.

Method

This study aims to ascertain the views of anaesthetic clinicians from two Australian tertiary referral hospitals on what they consider most important for selection. A paper-based survey was conducted at both hospitals across three groups, totalling 104 participants with a 100% response rate.

Results

The characteristics most agreed upon to be of at least some importance were clinical anaesthetic knowledge (98%, 102/104), teaching (95%, 99/104), basic science and courses (94%, 98/104), other critical care experience (93%, 97/104), and anaesthetic experience for more than six months (92%, 96/104). Of these, anaesthetic experience of greater than six months, non-anaesthetic critical care experience, and the completion of relevant courses were felt to be most important. Furthermore, good referee reports (95%, 99/104), especially those that come from anaesthetists (75%, 78/104) as well as having previous experience working in the institution applied to (88%, 92/104) were also seen as important factors. ‘Non-technical’ skills (40%, 42/104) were also regarded as an important factor, with immense competition for a few training positions (45%, 47/104) as the greatest barrier. When it came to selection, prevocational trainees consistently ranked the majority of criteria higher than accredited trainees or specialists.

Conclusion

This staff survey in two Australian hospitals has shed light on factors considered critical in securing an anaesthetic training position. It underscores the significance of clinical anaesthetic knowledge, basic science proficiency, and relevant critical care experience.