GasGasGas - Anaesthetic Science for Anaesthesia! Interview - The first three months of UK anaesthetics, insights and learning - Dr James Smith
Apr 10, 2025
Dr. James Smith, a CT2 ACCS anaesthetic trainee and former intensive care physiotherapist, shares candid insights from his initial months in anaesthesia. He discusses the steep learning curve he faced, from navigating on-call duties to mastering pediatric airway skills. James reflects on the balance of decision-making under pressure and the importance of strong team dynamics, often highlighting the value of mentoring. He also emphasizes coping strategies like exercise and peer support and offers advice for junior doctors aiming to maximize their training.
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Prioritise Practical Airway Practice
- Take time in your first weeks to practice practical airway skills before deep-diving into theory.
- Balance hands-on learning with later focused study so skills and knowledge develop together.
Microdecisions Drive Early Cognitive Load
- Early anaesthetic work generates large amounts of micro-decisions and cognitive load.
- Junior doctors often experience decision fatigue until pattern recognition and micromanagement become routine.
Breakthrough From A Small Coaching Tip
- James describes a breakthrough day two and a half months in when a consultant's tip fixed his paediatric mask technique.
- That coaching moment let him hold every paediatric airway that day and boosted his confidence.