Anaesthesia Coffee Break The Mt Everest Challenge: being a mum in specialist training passing a specialist exam!
May 24, 2022
In this discussion, Dr. Sarah Ritchie, an anaesthesia trainee and mother, shares her inspiring journey of balancing motherhood with passing the ANZCA Part 1 exam. She highlights the unique challenges faced by mothers in training and emphasizes the importance of a solid support network. Sarah offers practical study strategies, from negotiating family roles to outsourcing household tasks. She also reflects on her experiences with failure, mindset tips for exam day, and the critical need for peer support among parent trainees.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Time And Flexibility Are The Key Barriers
- Time and flexibility are the core barriers for parents sitting the ANZCA primary exam.
- Reducing time pressure and increasing schedule flexibility would likely improve equity and pass rates.
Journey Through Two Exam Attempts
- Sarah studied post-grad and had two children before completing specialist training and sat the primary twice before passing.
- She passed on her second attempt after moving to Sydney and intensive preparation, calling life
Cut Commute To Reclaim Study Hours
- Move to reduce commute time or choose roles with minimal travel to reclaim study hours.
- Sarah credits saved commute time in Wagga as a key factor that gave her two extra study hours daily.