Majority of training posts rated positively in evaluation scheme
Insufficient protected training time and work life balance are frequently highlighted by doctors in Basic and Higher Specialist Training posts, findings from the Training Post Evaluation (2016–2020) 2021 report by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) reveal.
In many posts, Basic and Higher Specialist Training (BST and HST) trainees did not always know who was providing their clinical supervision.
It also emerged they felt they were not receiving regular and timely feedback on their performance.
Many doctors in training were satisfied with the support they received in their role from their trainer and from the overall workplace and felt they were treated with respect.
However, in one in five Basic Specialist Trainees posts and in one in 10 Higher Specialist posts, the Trainees felt their trainer and/or workplace were not supportive.
The findings are based on feedback from doctors in BST and HST programmes in 86 training sites across Ireland.
From 2021 onwards, the Training Post Evaluation scheme is to become a mandatory requirement of training for all incoming trainees.
The response rates were low for many sites, stated the report, but they viewed the current results as useful indicators of the training environment.
The majority of training posts were rated positively, with 69 per cent BST and 86 per cent HST doctors in training likely to recommend them to their colleagues.
In the majority of the posts, doctors in training felt that their working environment fully supported the confidence building of doctors in training. They also felt they were offered exposure to broad clinical case mix, according to the findings.
The RCPI added that they had already begun to respond to the issues highlighted by Trainees via the Training Post Evaluation.
