Trainee Doctors in Ob-Gyn Face High Rates of Burnout and Sleep Deprivation

Trainee Doctors in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Report High Rates of Burnout and Overwork.

Trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology are experiencing high levels of burnout and overwork. With many feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their job. The General Medical Council (GMC) has warned that this could have a critical impact on patients.

A recent survey of trainee doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology found that nearly one in three reported feeling hesitant or apprehensive about approaching a senior colleague about a patient concern. Compared to one in five across all specialties.

Additionally, trainee doctors in this field were more likely to be at moderate to high risk of burnout, with 70% reporting burnout compared to 61% across all specialties.

68% of trainee doctors completed the national training survey, which included 52,000 people. The survey found that one in three trainee doctors regularly suffered from sleep deprivation. Compared to one in five across the wider pool of trainees.

Experts are warning that workplace issues can have a significant impact on patient care. Dr. Kat Barton, chair of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) National Trainee Committee, says that many doctors feel overstretched and close to burnout, reflecting staff shortages, working beyond hours, and a lack of support for staff.

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The care that women receive is being affected by the workload and pressure that doctors are under, Dr. Barton says. We need to create environments where staff feel supported, listened to, and able to raise concerns without fear of retribution.

The Department for Health and Social Care has emphasized the importance of ensuring every maternity unit meets the highest standards. A DHSC, spokesperson said. that staff must feel empowered to speak up about workload and patient safety concerns.

And that these concerns must be acted upon.

Adam Kay, author of This is going to hurt: Secret Diaries of a junior doctor, says the findings echo his own experiences as a doctor. He notes that the lack of support and resources for doctors can have a significant impact on patient care.

I wasn't particularly well supported after a difficult birth, and it was like I shared a minor injury, Dr. Kay says. There was no debrief, no offer of time off or counselling.

It was just 'get on with it'.

Charlie Massey, head of the GMC, says that having doctors who feel they cannot speak up can have a critical impact on patients.

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When things go wrong, it is often because of failures in terms of culture and leadership, Dr. Massey says. We need to address these issues to ensure that doctors feel empowered to speak up and provide the best possible care for patients.

Dr. Miriam Broughton, a resident doctor in her second year of training, says that while she loves her job, it can be challenging. Being there to deliver someone's baby at the best moment of their life is one of the best things you could ever do, she says.

But it can also be overwhelming, with multiple demands on a doctor's time and energy.

Broughton notes that the sheer number of demands placed on a doctor in her field can be challenging. It's like trying to manage multiple jobs at once, she says. You have to be able to juggle multiple priorities and make quick decisions under pressure.

Broughton emphasizes the importance of stepping back and looking at the wider culture. We need to recognize that burnout and overwork are not just individual issues, but also reflect broader systemic problems, she says.