The new cultural norm: reasons why UK foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training
Abstract Background The number of UK foundation doctors choosing to go straight into speciality training has fallen drastically over the last 10 years: We sought to explore and understand the reasons for this change. Methods We undertook semi-structured interviews with 16 foundation year two doctors...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-020-02157-7 |
| _version_ | 1818189063719485440 |
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| author | Alexander Conor Hollis Jack Streeter Clare Van Hamel Louise Milburn Hugh Alberti |
| author_facet | Alexander Conor Hollis Jack Streeter Clare Van Hamel Louise Milburn Hugh Alberti |
| author_sort | Alexander Conor Hollis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The number of UK foundation doctors choosing to go straight into speciality training has fallen drastically over the last 10 years: We sought to explore and understand the reasons for this change. Methods We undertook semi-structured interviews with 16 foundation year two doctors, who had not applied to speciality training, from two regional foundation schools. Transcripts were thematically analysed. Results The reasons that foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training centre around the themes of feeling undervalued, career uncertainty and a new cultural norm. They report major feelings of uncertainty regarding career choice at such an early stage of their profession and this challenge was magnified by a perceived lack of flexibility of training and the growing normality of taking time out from training. Trainees feel a lack of support in planning and undertaking an “FY3” year and being helped back into the workforce. Trainees overwhelmingly reported that they feel undervalued by their employers. Importantly, however, not going into training directly was not always a reflection of dissatisfaction with training. Many trainees spoke very positively about their planned activities and often saw a break in training as an excellent way to recharge, develop skills and prepare for the rest of their careers in medicine. Conclusions Taking a year or more out of training after foundation years has become the new cultural norm for UK junior doctors and reasons for this include feeling undervalued, career uncertainty and the perception that this is now “normal”. Exploring these factors with participants has generated a number of recommendations related to improving the workplace environment, allowing more flexibility in training and supporting those who chose to take an FY3. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T23:36:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-60e2a700829b4b859ce3d78446a5066b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T23:36:52Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-60e2a700829b4b859ce3d78446a5066b2022-12-22T00:45:50ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202020-08-012011910.1186/s12909-020-02157-7The new cultural norm: reasons why UK foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality trainingAlexander Conor Hollis0Jack Streeter1Clare Van Hamel2Louise Milburn3Hugh Alberti4UK Foundation Programme Office St Chad’s CourtSchool of Medical Education, Cookson Building, Newcastle University, Medical SchoolUK Foundation Programme Office St Chad’s CourtSchool of Medical Education, Cookson Building, Newcastle University, Medical SchoolSchool of Medical Education, Cookson Building, Newcastle University, Medical SchoolAbstract Background The number of UK foundation doctors choosing to go straight into speciality training has fallen drastically over the last 10 years: We sought to explore and understand the reasons for this change. Methods We undertook semi-structured interviews with 16 foundation year two doctors, who had not applied to speciality training, from two regional foundation schools. Transcripts were thematically analysed. Results The reasons that foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training centre around the themes of feeling undervalued, career uncertainty and a new cultural norm. They report major feelings of uncertainty regarding career choice at such an early stage of their profession and this challenge was magnified by a perceived lack of flexibility of training and the growing normality of taking time out from training. Trainees feel a lack of support in planning and undertaking an “FY3” year and being helped back into the workforce. Trainees overwhelmingly reported that they feel undervalued by their employers. Importantly, however, not going into training directly was not always a reflection of dissatisfaction with training. Many trainees spoke very positively about their planned activities and often saw a break in training as an excellent way to recharge, develop skills and prepare for the rest of their careers in medicine. Conclusions Taking a year or more out of training after foundation years has become the new cultural norm for UK junior doctors and reasons for this include feeling undervalued, career uncertainty and the perception that this is now “normal”. Exploring these factors with participants has generated a number of recommendations related to improving the workplace environment, allowing more flexibility in training and supporting those who chose to take an FY3.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-020-02157-7Speciality trainingJunior doctorsFoundation doctors |
| spellingShingle | Alexander Conor Hollis Jack Streeter Clare Van Hamel Louise Milburn Hugh Alberti The new cultural norm: reasons why UK foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training BMC Medical Education Speciality training Junior doctors Foundation doctors |
| title | The new cultural norm: reasons why UK foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training |
| title_full | The new cultural norm: reasons why UK foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training |
| title_fullStr | The new cultural norm: reasons why UK foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training |
| title_full_unstemmed | The new cultural norm: reasons why UK foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training |
| title_short | The new cultural norm: reasons why UK foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training |
| title_sort | new cultural norm reasons why uk foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training |
| topic | Speciality training Junior doctors Foundation doctors |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-020-02157-7 |
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