BMA cohort study of 1995 medical graduates: sixth report
March 2001
Contents
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Summary | Introduction |
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1. Method | 2. Demographic characteristics |
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3. Workforce participation | 4. Career choice |
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5. Career change 6. Difficulties in obtaining a National Training Number | 7. Career goals |
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8. Desire to practise medicine | 9. Plans for the future |
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Appendix | |
- The BMA cohort study of 1995 medical graduates is a ten-year longitudinal study of the career paths of 545 doctors. This is the 6th annual report and provides information on workforce participation, career choice and views about practising medicine.
- The cohort is surveyed annually on their activities during the previous 12 months. This report gives results from the most recent survey, which was distributed in July 2000. The response rate was 93% (507/545). The average age was 28. The majority of respondents (68%) were either married or cohabiting and 18% had children.
- The majority of the cohort (92%) spent at least some of the last 12 months working as doctors in the UK. Other activities included working overseas (8%) travelling (4%) and career breaks (9%) for example for maternity leave or for further study.
- Since graduation, 2% of the cohort have left medicine entirely. A further 2% are working in medicine in another country and do not intend to return
- At the time of being surveyed 10% of the cohort were working less than full-time (3% of the men and 18% of the women). A further 48% said they planned to work less than full-time in the future (24% of men and 74% of women).
- Currently 32% of respondents want to enter general practice. This is greater than the proportion choosing general practice at graduation (18%) but less than the proportion needed to sustain the general practice workforce (55%).
- Of those doctors choosing general practice, 67% are female. Of those doctors choosing surgery, 83% are male.
- Seventeen percent of respondents had a different mainstream specialty choice to the previous year. Seven percent of respondents were still undecided as to their preferred career. The main reason for changing career direction was ‘hours of work and working conditions’, which was a factor for 67% of those who changed in the last year. Other reasons were ‘enjoyed specialty’ (45%), ‘domestic circumstances’ (33%), and ‘career and promotion prospects’ (33%). The specific problem of ‘competition for SpR posts’ was a factor for 32% of doctors who changed career direction in the last 12 months.
- Approximately a third of doctors currently training in hospital medicine had found it difficult to obtain a National Training Number. Problems ranged from none being available in the region, to having to have completed a research degree and to have already occupied the post as a locum, in order to be considered for an interview. A number of doctors believed that the requirement to spend two to three years in a research post would result in an atrophy of their clinical skills.
- Among doctors currently planning to specialise in hospital medicine, the vast majority (92%) wanted to become a consultant. Reasons for not wanting to become a consultant were hours of work, family and lifestyle considerations; inability or unwillingness to complete Royal College exams; and a desire to avoid the non-clinical aspects of the consultants’ role. Similarly, 92% of doctors training in general practice wanted to become general practitioners (GPs). Those who wanted to become GP associates or assistants wanted more flexibility to have other interests and to have a family.
- Currently 68% of the cohort have a strong or very strong desire to practise medicine (compared to 85% at graduation). Factors influencing a positive view of practising medicine were finding a balance between work and family and being able to pursue other interests. Often these factors coincided with a career change to general practice and an end to onerous on-call commitments. A strong desire to practise medicine was also associated with passing Royal College exams or finding an SpR post.
- Of the respondents who were still working in medicine, 29% had a lukewarm or weak desire to practise medicine, and 4% regretted becoming doctors. As with previous years, factors included long working hours, sleep deprivation and a lack of resources such as beds. However a feature of the latest survey was the number of doctors who felt that continuing attacks on the profession, from the media and from the government, had affected them and contributed to their feeling ‘worn out’.
- Respondents also expressed frustration with government proposals for a new consultant contract, specifically plans to ban private practice and the requirement for consultants to be resident on-call. Many felt that having spent five years working 80-100 hour weeks and sacrificing family and social life, the rewards were no longer there.
- Forty one percent still have plans to work overseas in the future – 37% said this will be temporary and 4% said this would be permanent.
- Fifteen percent plan to have a career break in the future (7% of men and 23% of women). Two percent plan to leave medicine permanently.