Leng Review - AA Supervisor Case Study

Leng Review – AA Supervisor Case Study

How to use:

It should take around 30-60 minutes to complete. It could be used as an interview, or be given to supervisor to complete.

The template below has been designed to capture feedback from AA supervisors. These questions aim to explore the experiences, practices, and perspectives of Consultant Anaesthetist supervisors regarding the integration and management of Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) in a hospital or clinic setting. They cover areas such as the supervisor’s background, the AA’s role, supervision methods, integration challenges, the AA’s impact on patient care and practice efficiency, and reflections on the future and development of the AA profession.

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Personal Information

Name

First

Last

Please choose your method of validation:

Name of Supervisor (if willing to provide):

First

Last

Supervisor Background

Are you currently, or have previously been, a Consultant Anaesthetist trainer? What roles do you supervise within your practice?

How many Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) do you currently supervise?

How long have you been supervising your AA(s)?

Motivation, Recruitment and Understanding

What motivated you to employ or supervise an Anaesthesia Associate?

Prior to hiring a AAs, did your hospital face challenges in recruitment?

covered AA(s) the

How would you describe your initial understanding of the Anaesthesia Associate role when you began supervising? How has this understanding evolved over time?

Supervision Process, Experience and Governance

What does the supervision process for your AA(s) involve?

Do you allocate dedicated supervision time?

How frequently do these sessions occur, and how long do they typically last?

What levels of supervision model do you use for your AA’s, 1 to 1, 2 to 1, or other?

What topics are covered in supervision sessions (e.g., clinical cases, professional development?)

Do you audit or maintain records of supervision activities?

Do you have a written governance or best practice documentation for supervising AAs?

How would you describe your overall experience of supervising Anaesthesia Associates?

What challenges or limitations have you encountered in supervising your AA(s)?

Integration and Impact

How did you approach integrating the AA role into your hospital? Were there any challenges during this process?

Have your colleagues or other employees expressed any concerns regarding the role of AAs?

How have patients responded to consultations with an AA in your hospital?

What value does an AA add to your workplace as a colleague or employee?

Training and Competency

As a supervisor, what is your opinion of the training Anaesthesia Associates receive at University?

Do you feel that your AA(s) consistently work within their competencies?

How do you assess AA competency (e.g., through development plans, training lists, case-based discussions, educational supervision meetings, or review of case notes)?

Role and Contribution of Anaesthesia Associates

How have you utilised your AA(s) in a clinical setting?

What specific duties or responsibilities does the AA perform? What types of clinical cases or patient demographics does the AA typically care for?

Can you provide examples of how AAs have positively contributed to your hospital?

Do you have any examples of where AAs have benefitted the practice?

How has the addition of AAs affected patient accessibility to care?

Have you made any adjustments to your hospital based on the revised RCoA scope of practice guidance?

If so, what are these changes, and what prompted them specifically?

Concerns and Comparisons 

Do you have any concerns about the AA(s) in your hospital?

How do you view the role of AAs in compared to other secondary care roles?

Future Outlook and Current Landscape

What do you believe the future holds like for Anaesthesia Associates within secondary care?

What are your aspirations for the role of AAs in terms of their practice and development?

Do you feel that the current AA landscape has had an impact on the AAs in your department? If so, what specific challenges or opportunities have arisen, and how have you supported your AA(s) in navigating these?

Additional Feedback

Do you have any additional comments or observations you would like to share?