A survey from the GMC shows the barriers trainee doctors and their teachers face in an under-pressure and under-staffed NHS. 

Staff shortages continue to impact doctor training, a survey from the General Medical Council (GMC) has found. 

The GMC spoke to more than 51,000 trainees and nearly 23,000 trainers, discovering that burnout and rota gaps remain a problem. More than a quarter of resident doctors are unable to use their training time as intended, while one in three hospital doctors who are trainers said gaps in rotas go unaddressed, putting pressure on staff. 

Fatigue continues to be a persistent issue, with six in ten resident doctors at moderate or high risk of burnout, and one in five saying their working pattern leaves them short of sleep on a daily or weekly basis. 

The report noted a “small but real increase” in the number of trainee doctors reporting unwelcome sexual conduct on a daily or weekly basis. 

Trainers are under pressure too, with nearly half also at risk of burnout. Those teaching GPs were at the highest risk of moderate burnout. Despite this, nine out of ten said they enjoyed their role and the survey found that access to teaching time had improved in some areas. 

However, goodwill stretches only so far in an understaffed NHS, British Medical Association (BMA) deputy chair Emma Runswick warned, adding that recent attempts to cut consultant pay for that type of work will only make things worse. 

Staff shortages and workplace cultures “are holding back trainers and trainees alike,” Runswick said, adding that doctors deserve to work in environments that are safe, not just survivable. 

The GMC did note some positives. For example, for the second year running, more than three-quarters of trainees rated the quality of their teaching as good or very good. There were also early signs of improvement in risk of burnout and reporting of discrimination, the GMC said, while acknowledging that experiences vary at different sites. 

The council urged employers, educators and healthcare organisations to act on the findings, arguing that every doctor, regardless of where they work, should have access to high-quality training that supports their development and wellbeing.