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Health & Wellbeing

47% of medical trainers at moderate or high risk of burnout in 2026, GMC finds

Among trainers, 90% said they enjoy their role and 71% rated support from their employer or education team as good or very good. 

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47% of medical trainers at moderate or high risk of burnout in 2026, GMC finds
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47% of medical trainers were at moderate or high risk of burnout, according to the latest national training survey from General Medical Council (GMC).

Among trainers, 90% said they enjoy their role and 71% rated support from their employer or education team as good or very good. 

31% said their work frustrates them to a high or very high degree. 

28% of secondary care trainers and 18% of GP trainers said they were not always able to use allocated training time for training. 

29% of secondary care trainers reported that rota gaps affected trainees’ education and training.

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Response rates for doctors in training dropped to 68%, down 2 percentage points from 2025, while trainer responses rose to 34%, up 1 percentage point. 

Completion rates varied, with Wales recording the highest trainee response at 84% and England at 67%.

Doctors in training continued to rate clinical supervision and teaching highly, with 87% describing supervision as good or very good and 76% giving positive ratings for teaching. 

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64% said their posts allowed them to develop leadership skills. 

61% were at moderate or high risk of burnout, while 28% reported micro-aggressions or negative behaviour from colleagues. 

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84% rated their overall experience as good or very good. 

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26% said rota gaps affected training.

88% rated their post as useful for their future career, up 1 percentage point from 2025.

78% would recommend their post to a friend. 

83% of doctors in training said their organisation encouraged shared learning between healthcare professionals.

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Mr Tim Lane, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: “The GMC’s latest survey paints a mixed picture, with encouraging signs of progress in some areas but continued concerns about workplace culture, wellbeing and the training environment for the next generation of doctors.

“The increase in reports of sexual misconduct is deeply concerning. No doctor should face harassment or abuse while training. 

“RCS England has called on the Government to introduce a national anonymous reporting system for NHS staff and trainees who experience sexual misconduct, so concerns can be raised without fear of damaging future career prospects.”

Lane added: “We urge the Department of Health and Social Care to implement this recommendation as part of a wider effort to tackle sexual misconduct across the NHS.

“The survey also highlights the continuing pressures facing doctors in training and those responsible for educating the next generation of clinicians. 

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“While some measures have improved, burnout remains a significant concern, echoing findings from our own workforce research.”

He said: “Surgical trainees need protected access to operating theatres and high-quality training opportunities, while trainers need dedicated time for education and supervision recognised within their job plans. 

“Supporting wellbeing and investing in surgical training are essential if we are to retain the workforce patients need and ensure the highest standards of care.”

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