SAS doctors' development under threat

  Three quarters of UK SAS doctors have had to sacrifice development time over the past year to meet clinical demands, a survey has revealed. A study into workplace satisfaction for staff, associate specialist and specialty doctors found that 75 per cent of those surveyed had to give up SPAs (supporting professional activities) occasionally or frequently to fulfill clinical duties. The survey, which was completed by 1,520 SAS doctors between July and September last year, also revealed that 68 per cent of respondents worked on average up to four hours additional to the weekly hours in their job plan. It also found that 35 per cent of SAS doctors said that they have been a victim of bullying, harassment or victimisation in the workplace at least once in the previous 12 months. Of this figure, 58 per cent claimed to have not reported the incident.   Autonomy BMA SAS committee chair Amit Kochhar said that the survey had highlighted progress in areas such as autonomous working. He added, however, that feedback on issues such as SPA, work pressures and SAS doctors in management roles needed improvement. Dr Kochhar said: ‘This survey has provided some excellent insights into the issues and challenges facing SAS doctors within their careers and everyday working environments, and we thank all those that took part. ‘While it is welcome that so many staff are being adequately appraised, it is troubling to see how many are having their personal development time ero...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news