Junior doctors

The proposal to shorten junior doctor training time prior to 
eligibility for consultant posts poses problems.

There will be a reduction in the breadth of experience (already adversely affected by the Calman training scheme of the 1980s), which is key to providing the quality of care that is necessary in attending to the “whole” patient, not simply focusing on specific organ systems.

The ability to provide informed communication with other members of the health care team in different disciplines may be adversely affected.

Further flaws in reduced training schemes might be less attention paid to the junior doctor’s aptitude for a particular specialty and reduced time for teaching and research, both essential in expanding the knowledge base, investigative and communication skills.

(Prof) Anthony 
Martin FRCP

Eglinton Crescent

Edinburgh