YOUR VOICE
Our Fellows and Trainees have spoken
“I appreciate the hard work of all the people around. Also would like to say that our department was very well prepared ahead of pandemic and our rota was very well organized. Also, I think that common people have started to recognise the importance of Anaesthetists and Intensivist.”
“Everyone was supported well. Our institution excelled in conducting work both at our base hospital, and the private institute linked to it, where we actually increased the productivity of some surgical specialities (esp Thoracic Surgery). This was a result of the dedication and hard work of all stakeholders, esp the consultant anaesthesiology body, and the trainees and fellows who facilitated this seamless transition of workplace. Proud to be part of it, and part of the countries response. Thank you to the CAI for all the support.”
“Hospitals keep changing the guidelines for appropriate PPE , depending on availability. This is worrisome and puts us at risk significantly. The quality of POE available has been of a very poor standard, and guidelines for testing healthcare professionals have been very inconsistent. There has been an administration( non appropriate healthcare professional) driven management of the situation, which is very unsatisfactory”
“Brutally long hours. Nurses often feel short staffed and undervalued. Very sad as they are the backbone of the team. A fair few contemplate leaving ICU or the hospital or the profession altogether. Management very quick to remove added layers of support as was deemed too expensive (penny pinching) , service on massive stretch again. No easy answers, but that's the situation on the ground. Profile of anaesthesia/ICU raised in the community (it took a pandemic to do that!), but I don't think it will serve to attract more doctors to the specialty.”
“Several part time, more mature and experienced nursing and household staff (with comorbidity)resigned. Others, younger, healthier took permanent posts in busier hospitals...resulting in depletion of core staff. Also, sense of complacency/risk taking behaviour among some staff, refusing to appreciate the reality of the infectivity of SARS COV 2,wearing insufficient PPE.”
“Work is more exhausting due to changing in and out of ppe. In our hospital, our hours are all over the place so increasing burnout. I'm getting little time in theatre as I'm spend all my time in ICU”
“The pandemic has placed a considerable burden on us all but has reinforced the need for teamwork in Anaesthetics and ICU which has been extremely encouraging. It has also brought the need for self-care and the importance of personal wellbeing under the microscope which is an important discussion which needs to be had at all levels of training on an ongoing basis. Because my hospital (a large centre) was very well staffed, and theatre staff were mainly redistributed into ICU, and the first wave of the pandemic did not hit as hard as expected, we actually were all working significantly fewer hours than previously, averaging around 40-45 hours a week in 3 or 4 long days. As a result, I now feel LESS burned out than I have in years. The extra hours to devote to hobbies and family without the stress of exams (as they were cancelled) led to improved mental health during the pandemic. If only this could be continued into normal practice! I am immensely proud of my fellow CAI trainees who have been great colleagues during this period of time. They have demonstrated excellent clinical skills and professionalism throughout.”
“The pandemic resulted an exhibition of teamwork that was extraordinary. Both within the intensive care and anaesthesia departments and between other specialities.”
“One of the biggest issues, going ahead, is lack of appropriate infrastructure. Prior to Covid pandemic, we were providing care in suboptimal environment - Theatre & Critical Care environments which are old and were not fit for purpose and certainly, will not be fit for future purposes. New work practices in this inappropriate environment are challenging and stressful. It could be argued that both our theatre environment and our ICU should be deemed not suitable and closed - however the risk to the population we serve would be too great. There are also massive issues at A&E and Ward level also (social distancing, provision of appropriate ambulatory care, etc). I am not optimistic these issues will be addressed. I fear that significant investment will be required to ensure our current environment is made "safe". When in reality it needs not to be retrofitted but completely replaced. And that reality will be even further away having had a significant capital expenditure on a sticky plaster repair job. I could do with a little more light at the end of the tunnel (e.g. If you get through all this we promise you will be working in a modern appropriate environment at some point in your working career...) Administration and Senior Colleagues are least bothered of the Junior Colleagues , who are the front line professionals in handling cases”.
“Pandemic restrictions have contributed significantly to well being for those who are on placements away from their family. My family are 300km from where I work and not being able to go home or see them has been very difficult. If there were repeats of lockdown restrictions consideration should be given to people who are married or have children that they may not be able to see for months which due to nationwide restrictions on travel. This contributes significantly to mental health.”
“Being a trainee and moving around all the time means lack of social support. I haven't seen my girlfriend since March. This was extremely difficult.”
“The pandemic and increased hours helped me to develop better methods to relax and recovery between shifts such as yoga, meditation. It also demonstrated to me that our critical care beds are far fewer than international standards.”
“I believe that the College should examine for effects of the pandemic into the future - important systemic effects may come to light over time.''
“Overall a very good response in my institution. However, fit testing of the masks happened very late and it showed that I’m a poor fit. The masks that do fit, however, are hard to find. This makes it stressful when I’m on call in ICU, where I’m the only anaesthetist present in house.”
“I have found discussions on return to planned theatre work to have been very difficult with much pressure being put on anaesthesiologists to abandon "COVID ICU" practices in favour of a strong push forward to return to pre-COVID activity as quickly as possible. Guidelines and pathways are being questioned and "steamrolling over" of contingency plans in case of a second wave, is being pushed on anaesthetic colleagues - making for stressful discussions and planning. Perhaps more detailed surgical and anaesthetic discussions with joint recommendations at a college level might assist in making this process smoother at a local level.”
“I believe that colleagues have a heightened understanding and respect for the work we do, and our crucial role in hospital care, during the pandemic.
I hope this attitude continues afterwards.''
“All colleagues supported each other to get through this. Better team efforts have improved the care of patients in both the operating theatres and ICU.”
“Very impressed by response of anaesthesia and ICU staff to the pandemic- great leadership and team work”
“I work across 2 hospital sites. I would prefer if we had clear national guidelines that are not changed locally.“
“I think the biggest challenges will actually be in trying to return to a level of normality in provision of routine anaesthesia services”
“Praying for the sound health of all frontline workers till this pandemic gets over as we as Anaesthesiologist should be there to care for all sick patients”.
