Anesthésie et recherche clinique
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Anaesthesiology as a Career Vis-À-Vis Professional Satisfaction in Developing Countries.

Sanjeev Singh, Arti Singh, Anbarasu Annamalai and Gaurav Goel

Background: The specialty of anaesthesiology has undergone considerable development over the last 30 years. Once a technical specialty confined primarily to the operating room, the scope of anesthetic involvement in hospital practice has expanded considerably. Clinically, Anaesthesiologists are experts in fields as diverse as intensive care, obstetrics, trauma, cardiopulmonary and airway management, perioperative patient care, sedation for computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, both acute and chronic pain management. In addition, many are involved in areas such as research, administration and teaching, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Consequently it is estimated that in the UK Anaesthesiologists are involved in the care of about two-thirds of all patients admitted to hospital. Yet all of these accomplishments have not necessarily resulted in improved recognition of the anaesthesiologist’s vital role. However, there is no published data on factors that prompt medical students to opt for the specialty. The objectives of this study are to report the reasons for selection of anaesthesiology as a career vis-à-vis other specialties and to assess overall job satisfaction among those who have chosen to pursue anaesthesiology as a career. It is hoped that this study might serve as a modest beginning to the assessment of future work force requirements, and hence contribute to planning for residency training programs. It will also contribute to a better understanding of the working conditions of anesthesiologists so that job place stressors can be identified and minimized, and the appeal of this specialty enhanced. Methods: A questionnaire surveys were used to find out the career choice of the interns and the various practicing anaesthesiologists and their experience in this field. Results: Overall, 78%-149 (i.e.58% in grade 4 and 20% in grade 5) in our study of anaesthesiologists were satisfied bytheir professional work. Yet, we believe these numbers may be increased by improving on factors, identified in the present study, that contribute to job satisfaction like Increasing intellectual stimulation, allowing better quality of care, conditions of work, career, promotion prospects, and improving interaction with patients. Anaesthesia has become increasingly popular as a career choice in the developing countries. Trainees and consultants’ numbers are increased. 11% wanted to choose anaesthesiology as a career because of increasing value of anaesthesiologists and not much initial cost required in setup.