title: What shape do UK trainees want their training to be? Results of a cross-sectional study.
abstract: The British Government is acting on recommendations to overhaul postgraduate training to meet the needs of the changing population, to produce generalist doctors undergoing shorter broad-based training (Greenaway Review). Only 45 doctors in training were involved in the consultation process. This study aims to obtain a focused perspective on the proposed reforms by doctors in training from across specialities.
  
  
  
  Prospective, questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.
  
  
  
  Following validation, a 31-item electronic questionnaire was distributed via trainee organisations and Postgraduate Local Education and Training Board (LETB) mailing lists. Throughout the 10-week study period, the survey was publicised on several social media platforms.
  
  
  
  Of the 3603 demographically representative respondents, 69% knew about proposed changes. Of the respondents, 73% expressed a desire to specialise, with 54% keen to provide general emergency cover. A small proportion (12%) stated that current training pathway length is too long, although 86% felt that it is impossible to achieve independent practitioner-level proficiency in a shorter period of time than is currently required. Opinions regarding credentialing were mixed, but tended towards disagreement. The vast majority (97%) felt credentialing should not be funded by doctors in training. Respondents preferred longer placement lengths with increasing career progression. Doctors in training value early generalised training (65%), with suggestions for further improvement.
  
  
  
  This is the first large-scale cross-specialty study regarding the Shape of Training Review. Although there are recommendations which trainees support, it is clear that one size does not fit all. Most trainees are keen to provide a specialist service on an emergency generalist background. Credentialing is a contentious issue; however, we believe removing aspects from curricula into post-Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) credentialing programmes with shortened specialty training routes only degrades the current consultant expertise, and does not serve the population. Educational needs, not political winds, should drive changes in postgraduate medical education and all stakeholders should be involved.
authors.affiliation: Association of Surgeons in Training Council, Association of Surgeons in Training, London, UK.
authors.forename: Rhiannon L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Harries
authors.affiliation: British Orthopaedic Trainees Association, British Orthopaedic Association Offices, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.affiliation: British Orthopaedic Trainees Association, British Orthopaedic Association Offices, London, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smitham
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow Trainees' Committee, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vesey
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Training Committee, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Trainees' Committee, Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, UK.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scheeres
authors.affiliation: Emergency Medicine Training Association, Royal College of Emergency Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: British Junior Cardiologists Association, British Cardiovascular Society, London, UK.
authors.forename: Syed Mohammed Afzal
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sohaib
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Trainees' Committee, London, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Trainees' Committee, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.affiliation: The Society of Radiologists in Training, Wrexham, UK.
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Al-Deeb
authors.affiliation: The Society of Radiologists in Training, Wrexham, UK.
authors.forename: Gana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kugathasan
authors.affiliation: Association of Surgeons in Training Council, Association of Surgeons in Training, London, UK.
authors.forename: Vimal J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Gokani
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003253:Consultants; D003406:Credentialing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013038:Specialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Credentialing; Greenaway review; MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING; postgraduate training; shape of training