'What makes a good Anaesthetist? - A Sri Lankan perspective

Nandika Wanigasinghe,Marie Fernando

doi:10.4038/slja.v21i2.5219

Abstract

This survey was undertaken to find out the views of anaesthetists and surgeons in Sri Lanka on what they thought were the attributes of a good anaesthetist. 50 anaesthetists and 50 surgeons of different grades at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka were the respondents to the survey. All grades of anaesthetists agreed on three top attributes and they are team work, patient care and up to date knowledge. All grades of surgeons highlighted communication with the surgical team as the most important attribute. The most striking difference between surgeons and the anaesthetists was the high priority surgeons gave to communication. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10/4038/slja.v21i2.5219

Highlights

Anaesthetists form a very large proportion of the medical workforce of a hospital
Team work was the second most important attribute mentioned by the surgeons
Communication with surgical team was not among the top five attributes mentioned by anaesthetists as a whole and only the consultant anaesthetists mentioned this as an attribute anaesthetists should possess

Summary

Introduction

Anaesthetists form a very large proportion of the medical workforce of a hospital. In addition to the traditional role of working in the operation theatres, anaesthetists are involved in provision of care in intensive care units, high dependency units, outreach services for critically ill patients and in the management of acute and chronic pain. Medical Officers (n= 29) Total attributes 156 Team work 10.4% Knowledge 10.4% Patient care 10.4% Total attributes 15 Communication with surgical team 13% Team work 13% Confidence 13% Preparation 13% Conscientious 6% Be with patient 6% Skills 6% Senior Registrars (n = 10) Total attributes 54 Communication with surgical team 13% Team work 13% Risk taking 13% Punctuality 9.2% Competence 5.5% Patient care 5.5% Finish list 5.5%

Results

Conclusion