Benefits of LTFT working already found in Tallaght pilot

PAUL MULHOLLAND

Initial feedback to a project exploring less-than-full-time (LTFT) working for anaesthesiology trainees in Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) has been “extremely positive”, the Medical Independent (MI) has been told.

The project is a one-year pilot, which is supported by the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (CAI) and funded by the HSE’s National Doctors Training and Planning (NDTP) unit.

For the pilot, three full-time training posts in anaesthesiology have been converted into four LTFT training posts (three at 80 per cent and one at 60 per cent of fulltime working).

Before this, anaesthesiology NCHDs could only apply for LTFT at 50 per cent of full-time working.

“There is a strong sentiment that this is both inadequate in terms of clinical experience and progression through training and financially impractical for the majority of doctors in training,” a spokesperson for TUH told MI

According to the spokesperson, Dr Karen Tan and Dr Victoria McMullan, who are both CAI tutors within Tallaght’s department of anaesthesiology, “recognised the incredible stress doctors in training have been under over the last two years in particular.”

“Furthermore, doctors in training frequently face their own personal and professional challenges for which they need additional time and support,” the spokesperson said.

“The opportunity to train at LTFT for a defined period of time offers some much-needed time and headspace to regain balance in their busy lives.”

Common reasons for working LTFT include family commitments, ill health, the pursuit of academic qualifications, and giving time to devote to personal pursuits.

“One of the key priorities for the project is to ensure the wellbeing of our doctors in training and to support them during difficult times,” the spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately, we have seen excellent doctors in training leave [anaesthesiology] due to the onerous nature of the working hours and accompanying exams. This is something we are keen to prevent.”

The project has been running for three months and will finish in January 2023.

“Verbal feedback to-date has been extremely positive,” according to the spokesperson.

“Although the doctors take a modest financial hit in