title: Non-consultant career grade doctors in genitourinary medicine - are they up to the job? National survey 2007.
abstract: Non-consultant career grade doctors in genitourinary (GU) medicine have been called 'a reliable silent backbone of the specialty' and 'a spare pair of hands' [Hiscock E. Non-consultant career grade staff in GU medicine; a reliable backbone or, a spare pair of hands? Int J STD AIDS 1996;7:375-7]. But are they adequate pairs of hands? This survey, conducted in July 2007, examined the work, qualifications and experience of these doctors. A summary of the 154 (19%) responses is presented. Respondents contributed 773 sessions per week, including 164 special interest sessions; 30 (19.5%) were doing regular HIV work. Non-clinical work was described by 134 (87%), especially teaching (132 [86%]) and management roles (26 [17%]). Postgraduate qualifications were cited by 148 (96%), including DipGUM or Dip Ven (51 [33%]), contraception qualifications such as DFFP, MFFP or FFFP (110 [71%]), MRCGP (43 [8%]) and qualifications in psychosexual medicine/therapy (10 [6.5%]). Over half were trained in general practice. Certificate of completion of specialist training or equivalent was held by 55 (36%), including two in GU medicine. These doctors are well qualified, and an asset to the specialty.
authors.affiliation: Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust, Gwynedd. helenbailey@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mullan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pinsent
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Sashidharan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Theobald
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003253:Consultants; D003625:Data Collection; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014572:Urology / Q000193:education; D000078329:Workforce