'Thrown in at the deep end': a qualitative analysis into the transition from trainee to consultant during the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons for the future

Xiaoxi Zhang; Helgi Johannsson; Joseph D Tucker; Amardeep Riyat; Yuan-Li Tiffany Chiu; Neil Greenberg; Roger Sharpe

doi:10.1016/j.bjao.2023.100217

'Thrown in at the deep end': a qualitative analysis into the transition from trainee to consultant during the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons for the future

BJA Open. 2023 Jun 26:7:100217. doi: 10.1016/j.bjao.2023.100217. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Authors

Xiaoxi Zhang^{1

2}, Helgi Johannsson³, Joseph D Tucker^{4

5}, Amardeep Riyat¹, Yuan-Li Tiffany Chiu⁶, Neil Greenberg⁷, Roger Sharpe¹

Affiliations

¹ London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
² Imperial College London, London, UK.
³ Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
⁴ London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
⁵ Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, NC, USA.
⁶ Centre for Higher Education Research and Scholarship, Imperial College London, London, UK.
⁷ King's College London, London, UK.

Abstract

Background: Sustained crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic would be expected to impact the transition from trainee to consultant for anaesthetists or intensivists, but limited research exists on this important topic. This study aimed to examine the social context of this crucial career transition during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with anaesthetists and intensivists who became consultants after the first UK lockdown. Thematic analysis was used and data saturation was reached at 33 interviews.

Results: The pandemic substantially impacted the transition to consultant role in various ways, including professional identity, clinical and non-clinical responsibilities, and wellbeing. Participants experienced identity confusion, self-doubt, and moral injury, resulting in intense emotional distress, feelings of guilt and helplessness, which persisted beyond the pandemic. They also felt unprepared for their consultant roles because of disruptions in training. The pandemic exaggerated the vulnerability of those transitioning to consultants, because of increased clinical uncertainties, and pressures of the growing backlog. Additionally, the pandemic impacted on the wellbeing of those transitioning to consultants, intensifying feelings of anxiety and stress. We also identified unique opportunities presented by the pandemic, which accelerated learning and encouraged post-traumatic growth. Our study identified practical solutions that may improve transition experience at individual, organisational, and national levels.

Conclusions: Persistent crises significantly impact the transition from trainee to consultant. Our findings generated insights into the challenges of this critical career transition and staff wellbeing, and serve to inform approaches of ongoing support for those transitioning to consultants.

Keywords: COVID-19; career transition; pandemic; postgraduate medical education; professional development; training; wellbeing; workforce retention.