title: The preparedness of newly qualified doctors - Views of Foundation doctors and supervisors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is evidence that newly qualified doctors do not feel prepared to start work.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the views of first year Foundation doctors (F1) and supervisors regarding how prepared they felt newly qualified doctors were for the early weeks of work.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two F1s took part in a focus group or individual interview during their first year of Foundation training. Twenty-two supervisors took part in an individual interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The F1s struggled with new responsibilities, decision-making, time management, prioritizing tasks and the large administrative component to their role. They felt unprepared for making diagnoses, prescribing and acting in an emergency. Supervisors felt F1s were generally well prepared to start work, with skills improving through experience. However, F1s needed more practical experience with real patients and more opportunities to take responsibility, make decisions and perform some clinical skills. Supervisors did not feel that F1s accessed senior support appropriately. F1s indicated they preferred to go to peers for assistance in the first instance, and felt unsupported by seniors, particularly at weekends and on night shifts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific areas of unpreparedness were identified by both F1s and supervisors; leading to recommendations to enhance effective transition from medical student to F1.
authors.affiliation: a Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital , Norwich , UK .
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kellett
authors.affiliation: b St George's University of London Medical School at University of Nicosia , Nicosia , Cyprus .
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.affiliation: c University Campus Suffolk , Ipswich , UK .
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cavenagh
authors.affiliation: d Norwich Medical School , Norwich , UK.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salter
authors.affiliation: d Norwich Medical School , Norwich , UK.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.affiliation: d Norwich Medical School , Norwich , UK.
authors.forename: Sam J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Leinster
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D017748:Time Management