The latest GMC survey finds that only 33% of doctors feel they can progress their career as they want and 82% say that they are at risk of burnout.
One in three doctors say they are unable to progress their education, training and careers in the way they want, the latest General Medical Council (GMC) survey has found. The regulator’s report on the workplace experiences of doctors warns that workloads, competition for posts, and lack of senior support for development are adversely impacting career hopes.
“The major challenges identified in this report must be addressed as a matter of urgency, otherwise the cycle of burnout will continue, and it’s patients who will ultimately feel the effects,” said Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, in response to the report.
It is the first time the regulator has asked about career progression, and responses showed a clear link between doctors feeling in control of their careers and their overall satisfaction.
The study found that only 33% of doctors felt they could progress their career as they wanted and 82% said that they were at risk of burnout.
“Like any profession, doctors who are disillusioned with their careers will start looking elsewhere. Doctors need to be satisfied, supported, and see a hopeful future for themselves, or we may risk losing their talent and expertise altogether,” said Charlie Massey, chief executive of the GMC.
Enhanced patient care
The GMC has made five calls to action for the healthcare system in the report, which have been well-received. “Implementing these simple actions would improve patient care and save money,” said Adrian Boyle, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.
These include that governments and employers must work together to make sure working environments enable doctors to deliver safe and high-quality care; additional support for GPs and reform of the training system; that the GMC, alongside the wider healthcare system, must continue to address disparities in experiences between certain groups of doctors; and healthcare leaders should continue to work on delivering improvements that address these challenges.
“The GMC’s Workplace experiences report is an important barometer for the experience of doctors across the UK,” said Tom Reynolds, director of policy and communications at the MDU. “It is worrying that only two in five doctors feel able to progress their careers in the way they would like, presenting further challenges for staff recruitment and retention, which in turn impact patient care,” he continued.
