Do you always ask for a doctor ?

[Karenkerr]

Really really scared reading this. How can they let someone with only 2 years of experience anaesthetise people?

do you always check and make sure you’re being seen by a doctor? Think I need to start doing this…

Aren't anaesthetic associates an American thing? Never come across one in the UK (and long may it stay that way).

They are becoming a thing in the Uk. As are physician’s associates.

@TimesRwo , I find it unbelievable that someone with only two year’s training will be become an anaesthetist. Your evidence please ?

Are you the same poster as this?
Insist on an anaesthetist- don’t risk your life | Mumsnet

I know there are physician associates in the UK. I was asked to teach physician associate students about safe prescribing. I told the university I would happily do so as soon as they could tell me who their regulatory body is, as when teaching medical students/doctors in training/nurse practitioners on the topic I always reference the regulatory framework. There is no regulatory body, as I knew damn well. Which is why (thank god) they can't precribe.

Not an anaesthetist, an anaesthetic associate.

You could just google but I’ll do it for you.

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/medical-associate-professions/roles-medical-associate-professions/anaesthesia-associate

No I didn’t post that

Aren’t they doing the same job though?

I’m not a doctor, so I don’t know what’s involved. I just know it is a thing.

It’s your thread, shouldn’t you be able to answer that question?

I would not want to be anaesthetised by anyone other than an anaesthetist with full medical training. Generally they've worked in critical care no? It seems it will definitely be important to check in future that your/your family member's anaesthetist is the medically trained type. Not the 2 years training type.

I don't think this is true - my last surgery (which was pretty major) there were 2 consultant anaesthetists...

American.. not the I know of

I came across it on Twitter. Due to have an operation soon but didn’t realise the person putting you to sleep might not actually be a doctor

hence the thread…

OP- I'll ask you the same as I asked on the other post- but wasn't answered.

What operations can an anaesthetic associate manage completely and solely on their own? Examples of shop floor examples would be good.

My understanding was that they cannot work independently on operations, and at the very least, are supervised by a qualified anaesthatist? I might be wrong, I don't work in this field, but would like to know more. OP- can you please clarify?

That’s good to know!

I came across it on Twitter 🙄

So you cannot provide any first hand, shop floor knowledge of this, how it works in practice on the theatre floor or any knowledge other than twitter???

Ok just googled in the us they are responsible for the pre op interview and coming up with a a plan. They are not responsible for the actual patient care and during surgery. It seems in the UK that they are used for clinical care. That’s scary

Im an anaesthetist, these are so rare it's extremely unlikely that you'll be looked after by these. I've never encountered any of them in 4/5 teaching hospitals I've worked in.

They're not common at all, and they are always constantly watched by an actual anaesthetist in pre op/ before surgery. (I have been on teaching sessions to learn about the role but I've never encountered any, it's also up to the anaesthetist as to whether they use them to assist).

Scope of practice, for anyone who is interested.

Sounds like they are working at about SHO level, so very highly supervised - consultant has to be present during induction of anaesthesia, and can only go as far as the neighbouring theatre during the case. They have to be available within 2 mins at all times, and need to be there when the patient wakes up until the patient is handed over to the recovery team. They can’t do paeds, obstetrics or trauma lists.

Doesn’t sound ideal, and I would not want to be the anaesthetist in that situation as it sounds like a lot of extra stress for no apparent benefit. But probably no worse than a trainee list.

Do you think I can request not to have an anaesthetic associate?
im really worried having read this but wouldn’t want to upset the medical team looking after me

gosh that’s so scary I’d definitely be asking for a consultant anaesthetist

An awful lot of anaesthesia is delivered quite safely by non-consultant anaesthetists.

Yes by doctors who are not yet consultants or associate specialists. Not by people who don’t have a medical degree.

I’m a doctor. I find this terrifying. So do most of my colleagues. It’s the same with physician associates who are given too much free rein without the experience of a doctor. Anaesthetics is one of the most complex and difficult branches of medicine, I’m a medic not an anaesthetist and we all have tons of respect for their notoriously impossible post grad exams. AAs don’t sit post grad exams.

The govt are pushing these roles are they are cheaper than consultants. PAs and AAs get paid more than lots of doctors despite having less qualifications. Hence the striking.

I’m also a doctor (medic) and they’re becoming much more common, as are physician associates. Massive new push in the media from the govt about increasing the numbers of them.

If they’re anything like PAs on medicine they’ll push for more independence and consultants will prioritise them for opportunities over rotational “junior” doctors. They will stop wanting to do the basics and push for progression without formal training or exams. Or in the case of PAs they are not even properly regulated! It’s scary.