• Judy Marois, Alexander Shysh, and Jan M Davies.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada. Judith.Marois@ucalgary.ca.
• Can J Anaesth. 2021 Aug 1; 68 (8): 1146-1155.

PurposeDuring anesthesiologists' careers, a leave of absence (LOA) is common. After prolonged leave, updating may be beneficial in reducing concerns about knowledge and skill decrements. Although formal return-to-work (RTW) courses and checklists assist UK practitioners, and Australia mandates a one-month RTW program for each year away from practice, no Canadian RTW programs exist. This project aimed to determine the needs of anesthesiologists for an RTW program.MethodsThis quality improvement activity developed a needs analysis survey that was sent to all practicing anesthesiologists in Alberta. Respondents provided their opinions about the requirements necessary for an RTW program.ResultsSeventy-three of 350 eligible participants (21%) responded; one-third of respondents were female. Thirty-four respondents (47%) had taken at least one LOA, with a median [interquartile range] duration of 6 [3-12] months. Overall, respondents thought the duration of an LOA requiring formal RTW updating should be 12 [6-15] months, with a median updating period of 7 [5-20] days. Those who had previously taken an LOA thought updating should occur after a shorter absence (11 [6-12] vs 12 [6-24] months, P = 0.009) and be shorter (5 [3-12] vs 10 [5-26] days, P = 0.007). Comments indicated RTW updating should be flexible and individualized. Upgrades of computer systems and equipment plus specific skills retraining were identified.ConclusionsLeave of absences are common among anesthesiologists. Appropriate departmental support before, during, and after a gap in clinical practice could be provided by an RTW program to help endorse knowledge, skills, and confidence. Results identified the needs of Albertan anesthesiologists and provided initial guidance in the design of a user-centred RTW program.© 2021. The Author(s).

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