Coffee and a Gas

Stages - Stage 2

You’ve found your feet as an anaesthetic resident. Now it’s time to tackle specialist rotations, increased responsibility and the Final FRCA.

Dr Toni Robinson is joined by Dr Emma O’Neill to discuss practical advice on navigating Stage 2 training, avoiding common pitfalls and building a sustainable career in anaesthesia.

Stages - Stage 3

You’ve worked out how to navigate portfolio and training. Now it’s time to take the next step, becoming a senior resident and working out what kind of consultant you are going to be. Joe Pick is joined by Mo Amer to discuss practical advice on how to thrive in stage 3 and how to start planning for your future.

 

 

Coffee and a Gas episode 29: What's on at the Association

Joe Pick is joined by Head of Education and Events at the Association of Anaesthetists, Zack Puttock, to discuss upcoming events and education brought to you by the Association.

Stages - The mid-career anaesthetist

In this episode of our ‘stages’ series we discuss the challenges faced by the mid-career anaesthetist. It’s an often forgotten about stage of life and a career, where direction and purpose can be unclear. We are joined in this podcast by Dr Lois Brand an emergency medicine consultant and specialised coach who runs popular career pit stop sessions and Dr Robert Self VP of the Association of Anaesthetists.

Links

https://careerpitstop.co.uk

Coffee and a Gas episode 28: The elephant in the room: trauma, imposter syndrome and medicine

In this deeply honest episode, Lucy reflects on a traumatic experience from early in her medical training and how its psychological impact followed her into clinical practice. We explore PTSD, imposter syndrome, and the hidden emotional burden of working in high-pressure specialties like anaesthetics.

This conversation shines a light on the gap between outward competence and inner struggle, the culture of silence around trauma in medicine, and why acknowledging our humanity matters for long-term wellbeing.

We also signpost to support available for anaesthetists through the Association of Anaesthetists:

• Wellbeing & support hub
  https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support
• Mental wellbeing guidance
  https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support/Mental-wellbeing
• Emergency contacts & support services
  https://anaesthetists.org/Wellbeing/Emergency-contacts
• Wellbeing leads & career support
  https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support/Career-support/Wellbeing-Leads 

Coffee and a Gas episode 27: Storytelling in medicine

Dr Joe Pick is joined by Dr Rachel Clarke (palliative care doctor, author and former tv journalist) discussing the importance of storytelling in medicine and how you can make it part of your day-to-day practice.

Coffee and a Gas episode 26: Black anaesthetists: stories, challenges and change

In this Black History Month episode, we sit down with Dr Sethina Watson, Consultant Anaesthetist, and Mr Russell Ampofo, Director of Education, Training and Examinations at the RCoA. We celebrate the contributions of black anaesthetists and explore representation, allyship and advancing equity and inclusion in anaesthesia.

Coffee and a Gas episode 25: Birth trauma and the anaesthetist

Joe Pick and Claire-Marie Agius are joined by Kim Thomas. Kim is CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, a charity that supports parents experiencing psychological symptoms such as PTSD after traumatic birth. She was also the secretariat for the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) inquiry into birth trauma, and wrote the inquiry report, published in May 2024.

We discuss the idea of birth trauma and how as anaesthetists we may be able to help those going through traumatic situations.

Stages - Stage one

Starting anaesthetics training can feel exciting, daunting, and everything in between. In this episode, we sit down with a resident doctor who has just completed Stage 1 to share what it’s really like — from first on-calls to tackling the Primary FRCA, managing the e-portfolio, and finding your feet in theatre. Packed with practical tips, honest reflections, and advice they wish they’d known on day one, this is your survival guide to navigating Stage 1 and setting yourself up to thrive.

Coffee and a Gas episode 23: Politics and the Association

A two part episode with a meeting with former ENT surgeon and current MP, Mr Peter Prinsley, to talk about his career change, followed by a chat with President of the Association, Dr Tim Meek, to discuss how the Association advocates for its members.