Abstract

The face of training and employment of junior doctors has changed dramatically over the last ten years and in a potentially damaging way in the last two years. This has created a workforce which feels disconnected and disillusioned with the profession as the successive changes to the way in which junior doctors work has eroded the team connexion and support system. This is affecting patient care in different ways: studies have shown that a workforce that is content and supported in their jobs leads to better outcomes for patients. Rota gaps have increased and the numbers of foundation trainees choosing to persue further training has dropped which further compounds the problem. A shortage of workforce puts increasing pressure on the service and the service needs are continuously increasing therefore training is suffering and trainees feel less valued. Focus groups of junior doctors were asked about their experiences and through training, what they perceive as the problems and what realistic alternatives would they like to see to help alleviate the issues. Run a workshop which includes all levels of junior doctor, consultant, nursing staff and higher hospital management staff which looks at and identifies current problems with the junior doctor job plans and working lives. This is does by introducing video clips of doctors from documentary in the 1980’S focusing on how they describe their work and showing a comparison with documentary from this year. This is aimed to help all members of staff perceive the differences and issues that now exist and to stimulate an active discussion which is aided with a game of giant jenga. The jenga blocks will be labelled with issues raised in the focus groups and the teams will be challenged to think about why these are issues and to develop potential real solutions.