Doctors urged to have their say on workplace training during coronavirus
The General Medical Council’s (GMC) annual national training survey, postponed in March due to coronavirus, is to launch later this month in a shorter format that will be easier and quicker to complete.
The national training survey seeks the view of trainees and trainers, allowing the regulator to track trends and address any emerging concerns. It is the largest annual survey of doctors working in the UK.
The 2020 version was put on hold due to pressures faced by health services dealing with the pandemic. An adapted version of the survey will now launch on Wednesday, 22 July, and will be open for three weeks.
The ongoing impact of the pandemic means the survey will be shorter than usual – it should take no more than 10 minutes to complete – and participation is voluntary for trainees as well as trainers.
"I would encourage participation as it is vital, now more than ever, to learn lessons from those working during this unprecedented UK-wide emergency."
Professor Colin Melville
GMC Director of Education and Standards
Professor Colin Melville, the GMC’s Medical Director and Director of Education and Standards, said:
‘The pandemic is a hugely significant challenge for doctors, including those who take part in the national training survey. We have adapted our usual survey to take account of the circumstances, and we would not be launching it if we felt it would in any way hamper the ability of frontline doctors to provide the best possible care to patients.
‘We have made the survey shorter, quicker, and this year it’s also in a mobile-friendly format so doctors can complete it on phones or tablets. We’ve also made it voluntary, but I would encourage participation as it is vital, now more than ever, to learn lessons from those working during this unprecedented UK-wide emergency.’
All doctors in training, and senior doctors who act as trainers, are eligible to complete the survey, regardless of whether they have been working in frontline roles during the pandemic.
Data from the national training survey helps the GMC, medical education bodies and employers to make sure trainees are receiving high-quality training and that trainers are properly supported. The results of this year’s survey will be published later in the year.
