Eight years of CRASH: A bi-national initiative helping critical care doctors return to work

Abstract

Returning to work in critical care after a break in clinical practice can be a daunting process. This article describes development and evolution of the Critical Care, Resuscitation, Airway Skills: Helping you return to work (CRASH) course, including the supporting literature. CRASH is the first bi-national course assisting return to work (RTW) for critical care practitioners. It evolved as a collaborative effort across Australia and New Zealand, involving anaesthetists, emergency physicians and intensivists. The course is based around tailored sessions practising skills and clinical decision-making using simulation and case discussions, incorporating practical tips on returning to work. Participants receive resources to assist RTW including questionnaires and checklists developed by the faculty, which have been used to aid RTW in more than 30 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Attendance is open to all critical care practitioners who are registered with the relevant medical board and returning to work, who have taken leave from work for any reason. Since 2014, 197 participants have attended CRASH in-person or virtually, one of the largest RTW groups described in the literature. The aim of this article is to outline the literature around inactivity and RTW, and describe the development and adaptation of the CRASH course.