Chatting to some of our core trainees today about the oddities of the application process for specialty training in anaesthetics. This is the portfolio scoring system 1/;

10% of the score is based on academic achievement prior to starting F1. If you didn't do a degree prior to medicine(in a relevant subject) or an intercalated degree kiss them goodbye 2/

You get points for MRCP part 1, FRCEM primary, MRCS part A, or a postgrad qualification in a relevant area. And even more for the full qualification

You get no point for any part of the FRCA 3/

No points for however long you have worked in anaesthesia or ICM, But lots on offer, the longer you previously worked in medicine, EM, surgery, paeds, obs, or radiology 4/

Lots of points if you've done a 2 year MD with original research, or been chief investigator of a grant funded multi Centre research project, so that's easily achieved 5/

Resus courses - more than 3, but have to be done during your time in anaesthetics training, or you only get half the points.... 6/

Extra curricular activities - better be organising a team sport, a guide/scout or expedition leader, or significant responsibility on GMC or BMA 7/

How can I help my trainees achieve any of this, while trying to pass really tough exams, remembering that these are people in their late 20s, with lives, families, etc 8/

Oh, and they're supposed to learn how to give an anaesthetic, plus work a 1/8 rota..... (no points for either of those things!)

Ref https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://anro.wm.hee.nhs.uk/Portals/3/Documents/National/ST3%2520Self%2520Assessment%2520Criteria%25202020.pdf%3Fver%3D2019-12-04-130821-217&ved=2ahUKEwjYrKz5p9PsAhWI3YUKHQ_YB88QFjAAegQIAxAC&usg=AOvVaw3is4g4DFb1LUYB-kE8v0pP
9/

I'm not saying that any of these things shouldn't score points. And there are some parts of the scoring system that are very sensible. But it's very disheartening when so much of the scoring system is impossible to ever achieve! 10/end