Anaesthetics: career choices and experiences.

At the pre-registration stage, about 4% of doctors who qualified in 1974 and about 5% of 1977 qualifiers gave anaesthetics as a first choice of career. Over the few years after qualifying, both cohorts showed a net gain in career preferences for anaesthetics. The progress of those choosing anaesthetics is described, and also the career paths of those becoming senior registrars in the specialty. Postgraduate qualifications, non-anaesthetic and overseas experience are analysed. Discussion deals with breadth of experience, women doctors and manpower implications.