UK: GMC seeks views of doctors in training
GMC seeks views of doctors in training
Doctors in training will begin taking part in the world’s largest survey of postgraduate medical education later this week (March 24).
The national training survey (NTS) involves more than 50,000 doctors and is seen as a key measure of the quality of medical education and training in the UK. For the first time this year the survey will explore the environment in which doctors are trained; how fairly doctors feel they are being treated, and if their posts help build confidence. This follows concerns raised in previous years’ survey by doctors in training over undermining and bullying.
Some 8% of doctors who completed the survey in 2014 said they had experienced bullying and just under 14% reported witnessing bullying. Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the General Medical Council, said: ‘We need to listen to what doctors in training tell us about their experience. This is an important test of how well the system is working and it is incumbent on everyone involved to act on the results. ‘Past results suggest that most doctors feel they receive a high standard of education but everyone accepts that improvements can be made. ‘We know too that the external environment is extremely challenging with massive service pressures throughout the NHS in the UK – this year in particular we want to establish in which areas doctors in training are receiving most support for their learning and in which they are not. ‘The important point is that doctors who complete the survey know that their views do matter and that the GMC, deans and hospitals and surgeries will act in response to the issues they raise. The survey has become increasingly influential with both those involved in education and in the wider health system taking notice of what doctors in training are telling us.’
The survey, which is open until 6 May 2015, provides doctors in training with the chance to give anonymous, confidential feedback and highlight any problems. The findings will be published in June 2015 and reviewed by deaneries, local education and training boards, NHS trusts and GP surgeries.
Dr Achyut Valluri, GMC clinical fellow, said. “The NTS is a crucial platform for doctors in training to make their voice heard on important issues around quality of training, bullying and undermining, and ultimately patient safety. ‘As a Clinical Fellow with the GMC I’ve had the privilege of a view from the other side of the looking glass. I’ve seen first-hand the efforts put into making sure the survey indicators really describe the culture of the workplace.”
The NTS is open to all doctors in foundation and specialty training programmes, including GP training. Take part in the national training survey.
