Marvin OnumonuPostgraduate medical training in the UK is not working for doctors, patients or the NHS, according to a report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
Doctors spoke out about being moved from job to job without a say in where they go, how long they stay, or what comes next.
Research found that only 44% of respondents were satisfied with the quality of their training and one in four were actively dissatisfied.
Nearly 30% said they rarely or never received constructive feedback, only 29% found the annual review process useful, and almost half lacked protected time for self-development.
One in four said they could not access key training opportunities.
Additionally, only 17% of respondents thought recruitment into training posts was fair.
Geographical rotations were also unpopular, with 41% saying they had a negative impact on their training, compared to 26% who were positive.
28% wanted them abolished entirely, and 50% said they should continue only with reform.
The RCP called for modular, flexible pathways, reform of rotational training, extra support for hospitals in under-served areas, more investment in supervision and mentorship, and protected time for non-clinical development.
Resident Doctor Committee co-chairs Anthony Martinelli and Catherine Rowan said: “Postgraduate medical training in the UK is increasingly out of step with the needs of doctors, patients, and the wider NHS.
“For many resident doctors – those delivering care while training to become specialists – the system is no longer sustainable.”
