Global Overview
Anaesthesiology (anaesthetics in UK/Ireland/ANZ) is a broad specialty encompassing perioperative medicine, critical care, obstetric anaesthesia, chronic pain and resuscitation. Training duration is 5–7 years depending on country.
Training by Country
| Country | Route | Duration | Exit Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | ACCS or Direct ST1 → ST7 | 7 years | FRCA |
| USA | PGY-1 clinical base + 3yr residency | 4 years total | ABA Board Certification |
| Canada | 5yr RCPSC residency (CaRMS) | 5 years | FRCPC (Anaesthesia) |
| Australia/NZ | ANZCA training programme | 5 years | FANZCA |
| Ireland | CAI 6-year training programme | 6 years | FCAI |
Sub-Specialties in Anaesthetics
- Cardiac anaesthesia — complex cardiac surgery, TOE expertise
- Neuroanaesthesia — intracranial, spine and base of skull surgery
- Obstetric anaesthesia — labour analgesia, caesarean sections, high-risk obstetrics
- Paediatric anaesthesia — dedicated paediatric hospitals or combined units
- Chronic pain medicine — interventional and multidisciplinary pain management
- Intensive care medicine — dual accreditation with ICM common in UK and Australia
- Pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM) — alongside anaesthetics in UK
Key Exams
- UK: FRCA Primary (MCQ + OSCE) and FRCA Final (Written + Viva) — see UK Exam Guide
- USA: ABA Primary, Applied, Advanced and OSCE examinations
- Australia/NZ: ANZCA Primary and Final examinations (written + clinical)
- Ireland: CAI Primary and Final examinations