Parenting and the impact on training
In this podcast, Dr Gemma Phillips and Dr Yogita Chikermane discuss the impact of parenting on anaesthetic training.
They share their own experiences, talk about how things might have changed since then (or not), and what still needs to change to help anaesthetists navigate the often competing demands of anaesthetic training and parenting.
Related information:
- Returning to work in anaesthesia course (RCoA)
- Returning to work after a period of absence (RCoA/FPM)
- A guide to parenting during anaesthesia training (Association of Anaesthetists)
- Future Proof: the impact of parental and caring responsibilities on surgical careers (Nuffield Trust)
- Guide to Anaesthetics Training - The management of maternity, paternity, shared parental or parental leave and sickness absences (RCoA)
Dr Gemma Phillips is a Consultant Anaesthetist at UHW, Cardiff. Her clinical interests include neuroanaesthesia, PACU and paediatrics, whilst having a keen interest in mentoring and medical education. Following her first maternity leave Gemma helped review and develop the return-to-work process within Wales. Her work led to the development of the Return to Anaesthesia course which has been running for the last decade and has subsequently been adapted by other schools of anaesthesia in the UK. She was recently part of the working party to review the Return to Training guidelines with the RCoA and has been appointed as LTFT lead for secondary care in HEIW.
When not in work, Gemma is a keen amateur photographer and painter, which mostly comprises taking photos of her three children!
Yogita has been a consultant anaesthetist since 2009 with a special interest in obstetrics, paediatrics, sustainability and education. Currently, LTFT advisor for the West Midlands Anaethestic residents.
- College Tutor: August 2018 to August 2022.
- Anaesthetist as Educators:
- conducted introductory courses (since 2018) both face-to-face and virtually
- Faculty member for TTiW RCoA (since November 2022).
- Return to Work Programme:
- developed and taught virtual programs for the RCoA (since Nov 2020)
- conducted local sessions (since March 2021).