Trainees in Difficulty

If a trainee feels that s/he is struggling/experiencing difficulties s/he should contact their foundation training programme director as soon as possible so that appropriate support/advice can be provided.

Trust Foundation Faculty Groups meet on a regular basis and will update the STFS director on any trainees experiencing difficulties, so that additional support can be considered.

Further information about the process used to manage trainees in difficulty is available in "The Trainee in Difficulty - A KSS Guide" can be found at the bottom of this page. (NB: This guide applies to foundation doctors in both KSS and South London trusts.)

Practical and financial support for doctors on sick leave

Rosie Puplett, a foundation doctor from Severn, has produced a guide on practical and financial support for doctors who are on sick leave. Rosie is happy for this to be shared with other Foundation Schools and for them to make local amendments on the basis that her authorship is acknowledged.

Dr Michael Peters, Head of Doctors for Doctors unit, BMA has said:

“Dr Puplett gives sound and sensible advice on coping with illness as a junior doctor. It is important to seek help early and to try and behave like any other patient, and seek advice from your GP or occupational health department. The BMA also offers support through a Counselling and Doctor Advisor service which you can find out about here www.bma.org.uk/doctorsfordoctors”.

 Please click here to download the guidance.

Being a trainee in difficulty

"When I was an F1 I felt that I wasn’t good enough to be a doctor. I constantly felt out of my depth and felt that everyone else coped better than me. My registrar and consultants were all supportive and accessible and looking back I realise that I was probably a pretty good and efficient F1. When I started as an F2, however, I felt that I couldn’t cope. I was working in quite an isolated location and had personal problems, and my confidence suffered a severe knockback. I felt that I was not good enough to be a doctor, although I realise now that this was my own perception and not a real reflection of my abilities.

Things became so bad that I could no longer continue. Fortunately support was available and I saw one of the STFS directors, who arranged for me to take some time out and also to see a careers advisor, who helped me understand that I did still want to do medicine. As doctors we feel that we should be infallible and we don’t like to admit to our weaknesses, but after speaking to other doctors I now realise that many of my colleagues have felt like me at some time. We don’t always have all the answers but the most important thing is to talk to other people and not suffer in silence if you are struggling. The safe doctors are those who ask for help when they are out of their depth, and know their limitations. If you ask there is usually someone who has been there before.

I was able to complete the F2 year on a part time basis, within a supportive environment, and this gave me time to rebuild my confidence. I am eternally grateful to the support given to me by STFS and my educational supervisors. I have recently passed Part 1 MRCOG and am now enjoying working as an ST1 in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Because I struggled as an F2 I feel that this has made me more supportive of medical students and F1s. Being a doctor isn’t easy but it is worthwhile and I am grateful that I was given the time and support that I needed."

Foundation Doctor 2006-9