Junior doctors need more support to fulfil their potential, MPS survey reveals

An MPS survey of over 350 junior doctors who are just completing their first year on the hospital wards reveals that over two thirds (65%) chose a career in medicine because they wanted to help people. However, a third are questioning their career choice, are thinking of changing career or are changing career due to their experience.¹

The survey, published the week that the next cohort of newly qualified doctors land on the wards, revealed that 70% of the junior doctors surveyed had enjoyed their first year, however 75% agreed that they had struggled with long hours, 62% had struggled with heavy workload and 34% had felt isolated. MPS has experience of the challenges that junior doctors face and has published a guide to support them through their foundation years.²

When asked what they had found most challenging when dealing with patients during their first year as a junior doctor, 73% said that they didn’t have enough time to give patients the care they require. Nearly half (47%) had often worked beyond their contracted hours, despite the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) limiting the working hours of doctors in training.

MPS supports the ambition in the recent Keogh report that junior doctors should not just be seen as the clinical leaders of tomorrow, but the clinical leaders of today.³ The medical profession must harness the enthusiasm and insight of junior doctors and support them as a valuable member of the team now, rather than waiting for later.

Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, medicolegal adviser at MPS said: 'It is encouraging to see that despite the struggles of their first year, 34% of respondents said that being a junior doctor was better than imagined and 32% were excited about their future career. It is a challenging yet rewarding time, but junior doctors must remember that they are not alone. Working in a clinical team allows them to help and support each other and MPS is here to support junior doctors as they progress throughout their career.'

More information

For further information please contact Kim Watson, Press Officer at +44 207 399 1409 or email [email protected]

Notes to editors

1. MPS conducted a survey of Foundation Year 1 doctors to find out their experience of the first year in clinical practice, which received 357 respondents.
2. MPS has published a guide which has information and advice on managing risk, good medical practice, careers and maintaining a healthy work/life balance; find out more here: www.mps.org.uk/newdoctors
3. Review into the quality of care and treatment provided by 14 hospital trusts in England: overview report
4. 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.