Career choice of anaesthetists in a department of anaesthesiology

Abstract

Background: Choosing a career in anaesthesiology depends on factors that are inherent to the profession as well as factors related to the individual. Awareness of these factors in anaesthesiology is necessary to allow recruitment based on the needs of the specialty and expectations of the individual. Methods: A prospective, contextual, descriptive study design was followed using convenience sampling. A self-administered questionnaire from the USA was used after permission from the author was granted; and was modified for the South African context. The questionnaire was then completed by anaesthetists at the University of the Witwatersrand. Results: Anaesthesiology was chosen as a career by 38.5% of participants whilst working as a medical officer. The main factor that influenced this choice was dealing with one patient at a time, which was chosen by more than half of the participants. Of the 130 participants, 94.6% were satisfied with their career choice and 89.2% would choose anaesthesiology as a career again. Conclusion: The three to five-year period after medical school is crucial for doctors to develop an interest in anaesthesiology, the main factor that influenced the career choice of anaesthesiology was dealing with one patient at a time and most participants were satisfied with their career choice of anaesthesiology. This information can guide plans for recruitment in anaesthesiology, especially amongst medical students. This study provides a foundation for further research investigating these factors, and possible gender differences that were not explored in this study