Experiences of Transitioning to Senior Roles in Intensive Care Medicine

Role transition can be a challenging time for specialist medical trainees. Insight into the move from junior to senior registrar in Intensive Care is needed to help trainees prepare for this transition, and educators to support them. This study investigated the role transition experiences of Intensive Care senior registrars to identify the knowledge, skills and capabilities required of trainees to ensure a successful transition.

Australasian College of Intensive Care Medicine trainees who had completed at least a year as a senior registrar were invited via email from the College to participate in a one-on-one interview. Seven trainees responded and all agreed to an interview. Interviews were transcribed, deidentified and analysed thematically.

Three themes represented the seven male participants' experiences: Apprehension, Weight of responsibility and Decision-making. These themes illustrate that the experience of moving from junior to senior ICU registrar is complex, requires a shift in decision-making focus and is characterised by uncertainty.

Communication skill development appeared to be key to the perspectives shared by our participants. Leadership development warrants more attention in Intensive Care Medicine. This study provides junior doctors at the cusp of transitioning to the role of Intensive Care senior registrars with helpful insights for their own transition. The findings are also helpful to Intensive Care Medicine more broadly and re-imagining what may be required for contemporary and sustainable trainee development.