Survey of factors that influence doctors’ selection of Anaesthesiology as professional specialty and opinion regarding being Anaesthesiologists

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to survey reasons regarding choosing Anaesthesiology as professional specialty and evaluate perception regarding being anaesthesiologists.

 

Methods: This cross sectional, multi-institutional study anonymously surveyed first year Anaesthesiology residents in resident training centres in Bangkok who came for the first inter-hospital lectures at Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University in July, 2012. A structured questionnaire comprising of demographic data, reasons for choosing anaesthesiology, and attitude regarding anaesthesiologists was filled in and returned before beginning of lectures.

 

Results: All 50 anaesthesia residents who attended the inter-hospital lectures responded; 40 residents (80%) were female. By selecting three preferred choices, the respondents stated reasons for choosing Anaesthesiology were as follows: 1) Responsibility of patient on case by case basis 38 (76%); 2) Impression of anaesthesiologist as a role model 17 (34%); 3) Career characteristic of both knowledge and skill 16 (32%); 4) Limited number of patients under responsibility 15 (30%); 5) Not too frequent communication 14 (28%). In the respondents‘ view point, disadvantages of being anaesthesiologist were high chance of being legally sued (74%) and contact with blood and/or body fluids (60%). Characteristics of good anaesthesiologists were identified as the ability to make decisions during critical events (86%), high responsibility (62%), ability to obtain patients‘ data for adjusting of anaesthesia care (46%) and knowledge of own limitations and capacity (46%).

 

Conclusion: Career characteristics favouring controllable lifestyle such as responsibility of patients on case by case basis, identification of the anaesthesiologist as a role model and professional ability of both knowledge and skills were features that residents found most attractive.