Half of junior doctors have quality care concerns – supportive open culture needed

An MPS survey of over 1,000 newly qualified doctors has found that they continue to face professional and personal challenges on the wards.¹ The survey of doctors who are just completing their first (FY1) and second year (FY2) as trainees reveals that:

• Senior clinicians and clinical managers have a responsibility for creating an open culture and an environment where recognition and discussion of care quality issues is routine
• 60% of all respondents chose a career in medicine because they wanted to help people and only 2% said potential future earnings was a driver for entering the profession
• 82% of FY1 doctors struggled with long hours in the last 12 months – an increase of 7% from 2013 – and 68% have struggled with heavy workloads
• Over half (51%) of FY1s have had concerns about the quality of care in their workplace and 62% told a fellow trainee in confidence. In contrast, of the 48% of FY2s who had concerns about the quality of care in their workplace, 67% raised the matter with a clinical manager

Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Medicolegal Adviser at the Medical Protection Society (MPS) says, "It is fantastic to see that juniors entering the profession are motivated by a desire to help people and even after the struggles of their foundation years two thirds (65%) were excited about their future career and still intended to be a doctor.

"We must harness this enthusiasm and build an environment which allows junior members of the team to raise concerns about patient safety. It is encouraging to see that those in their second year of training feel confident to report such matters. Senior clinicians and clinical managers have a responsibility for creating an open culture and an environment where recognition and discussion of care quality issues is routine."

Dr Bradshaw added, "It's important that junior doctors are supported in their first years on the wards, and with one in five (22%) of respondents having been involved in a complaint or claim, it highlights the need to have support available from a medical protection organisation such as MPS if something does go wrong.'

The survey also revealed:

• Over half of FY1s (66%) have not had enough time to study
• 85% of FY1s are working beyond their contracted hours
• 71% of FY1s found not having enough time to give patients the care they require a challenging aspect when dealing with patients and 51% found it hard to manage patients with unrealistic expectations
• 39% of FY1 and FY2 doctors felt more doctors on the ward would increase job satisfaction

More information

For further information please contact Stella-Maris Zegge, Press Officer at +44 207 399 1439 or email [email protected]

Notes to editors

Dr Pallavi Bradshaw graduated from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, gaining a BA (Hons) with a dissertation in Medical Law and Ethics. She trained at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and graduated from the clinical school in December 2001.

1. MPS conducted a survey of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) and Foundation Year 2 (FY2) doctors to find out their experience of the first and second years in clinical practice, which received 1,052 respondents. This survey is one year on from a survey MPS conducted in 2013 – read the 2013 press release here
2. MPS has published a ‘Supporting you through your foundation years’ guide which has information and advice on managing risk, good medical practice, careers and maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
3. If you would like would like a picture of Dr Bradshaw please contact the MPS Press Office