Stress, lies and red tape: the views, success rates and stress levels of the MTAS cohort.
OBJECTIVE
To track the success rates in obtaining a specialist training (ST) post of a cohort of medical training application system (MTAS) applicants, as well as canvassing their views of the process and measuring symptoms of psychological distress during application and after job allocation.


METHODS
A follow-up cross-sectional survey. Setting Two large south London psychiatry training schemes. Participants 101 MTAS applicants.


METHODS
Success in obtaining an ST post, respondents' views about MTAS and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) scores.


RESULTS
48 Of the original sample responded to the follow-up survey. Data were available about post-MTAS job status for a further 41 trainees. 64% of candidates obtained an ST post. Of those, however, 12% were only offered a fixed-term post. Most unsuccessful candidates were doing locum (34%) or non-training grade (21%) jobs. UK/European Economic Area (EEA) doctors were more successful than non-EEA applicants in obtaining an ST post (odds ratio 5.5, 95% confidence interval 2.1-14.3), as were women candidates compared to men (3.7, 0.5-9.3). The respondents' views about MTAS were globally negative (even if they were successful in obtaining an ST post). The median GHQ-12 score for respondents was 7 out of a potential total score of 12. 79% of the sample scored above the threshold (GHQ-12 > or =4) for psychological distress and 21% experienced significant distress (GHQ-12 > or =8).


CONCLUSIONS
MTAS was a flawed system. A considerable proportion (36%) of candidates who had been on a Senior House Officer training scheme were left without a training post after MTAS. The system seems to favour UK/EEA applicants. Applicants suffered significant psychological distress during and after the MTAS process.
Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London.
Paul
P
Whelan
Maja
M
Meerten
Rahul
R
Rao
Peter
P
Jarrett
Anandamurugan
A
Muthukumaraswamy
Dinesh
D
Bhugra
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom