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2017 survey of medical certificate of completion of training (CCT) holders’ career progression

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This is the ninth survey reporting the experiences of, and outcomes for, CCT holders within one year of gaining their CCT. It covers physicians who gained their training in 2016 in all 30 medical specialties in the UK.

Key recommendations

  • The RCP will:
    • investigate why CCT holders who describe themselves as being of white British ethnicity appear to apply for fewer posts, but are more likely to be shortlisted and be offered a post
    • continue to ensure all RCP representatives on advisory appointment committees receive equality and diversity training.
  • Mentoring should be offered to all newly appointed consultants; RCP representatives on advisory appointment committees should take the opportunity to encourage this practice.
  • Senior trainees should have the opportunity to undertake post-take ward rounds with the supervising consultant present to provide feedback.
  • All healthcare providers should take steps to improve GIM training experiences.

This unique survey is a collaboration between the RCP’s Medical Workforce Unit and the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) and has monitored changing outcomes for CCT holders since 2009.

Summary

  • 67% of the class of 2016 certificate of completion of training holders had gained a substantive post by August the following year, which is a significant improvement on recent years and is likely to reflect consultant shortages in many specialties.
  • 18% of trainees reported difficulty in transitioning from trainee to consultant. This was associated with younger consultants, a white ethnic background, certain specialties (geriatrics, haematology, palliative medicine), the quality of training, and regrets about choosing to train in their specialty.
  • 56% of CCT holders who were in a substantive post were offered mentoring. An encouraging 75% of those took it up and an impressive 92% found it helpful. Mentoring should clearly be made available to all newly appointed consultants.
  • 59% of CCT holders who trained in general internal medicine (GIM) reported ‘acting up’ during their training to undertake a post-take ward round (with their consultant simply watching to give feedback). 99.7% recommended it to other trainees. This opportunity should be made available to all trainees in general internal medicine.
  • 93% of CCT holders reported that they would train in their specialty if they had the chance to undertake their training period again. Worryingly, only 53% reported that they would train in GIM again.

Contact details and CCT dates for trainees in all 30 medical specialties were obtained from the JRCPTB.

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