The personal qualities you need are:
- Good team worker. Able to work within a team and lead a team
- Good communication skills. Although anaesthetists are often thought of as working alone, good communication skills are essential. You will be working with doctors from other specialties and other healthcare professionals (eg. nurses, operating department personnel)
- Enjoy the challenge of looking after very sick patients.
- Self-reliant and be able to act decisively in a crisis.
- Conscientious and able to pay attention to detail.
- Manual dexterity. Anaesthesia is a hands-on speciality.
- An interest in the basic sciences - physiology, pharmacology and physics would be a bonus.
