Some doctors in training may still be working nearly 100 hours a week, which has the potential to increase mistakes.
This small GMC-commissioned study of the views of 82 doctors in training examined the impact of the Working Time Regulations (WTR) implemented in August 2009. The Regulations, developed by the European Union, restrict doctors to working 48 hours per week, averaged over 26 weeks.
The study builds on evidence that too many hospitals are relying on doctors in training to provide care and treatment without adequate supervision from senior colleagues.
What did the study find?
Many doctors in training welcomed the WTR for improving their work-life balance, but some reported:
- suffering fatigue as a result of more shift work, and acknowledged that there were times when they performed poorly
- having less time to manage their workload because of badly designed rotas and staffing problems (and a number felt unable to challenge bad rotas and working practices)
- a lack of continuity in out-of-hours care and having access to fewer training opportunities because of the shorter week
- not being able to take rest breaks or eat or drink during long shifts.
However, WTR were not the sole cause of fatigue and its impact on patient safety – the researchers suggest doctors’ experiences cannot be isolated from other changes to medical education and the NHS.
What is the GMC going to do?
‘It is clear the current system is not working as it should – in some cases doctors are still too tired and there are issues around continuity and training opportunities,’ said Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the GMC.
We will continue to work with the NHS, medical royal colleges and postgraduate deaneries to help address these problems to maintain and enhance the quality of training.
We are also contributing to the major independent review of postgraduate medical education being undertaken by Professor David Greenaway, Vice Chancellor of Nottingham University, to help address wider issues with postgraduate training.
