GMC National Training Survey 2024

The General Medical Council (GMC) published its annual survey for doctors in training in the NHS on 25 July 2024. 

The results show that half of doctors whose roles include training junior colleagues are at high or moderate risk of burnout.

Learning from the 2024 report shows that the health and wellbeing of trainers will be need to be prioritised going forward in order to ensure the success of doctor training programmes.

Report highlights

• 52 per cent of trainers and 21 per cent of trainees were at moderate or high risk of burnout.
• 90 per cent of trainers enjoyed their training role, however 29 per cent reported they were not always able to use their time allocated for training.
• Trainees reported fewer opportunities to develop leadership skills. In 2022, 69 per cent agreed they had these opportunities, but this fell to 66 per cent in 2023 and is down to 63 per cent this year.
• 31 per cent of trainers working in secondary care reported issues with rota gaps.
• 32 per cent said their work frustrates them to a high or very high degree.
• 83 per cent of doctors in training said they rated the quality of their training as good or very good, and 86 per cent were positive about their clinical supervision.
• 90 per cent of trainers said they enjoyed their role. However, only 48 per cent said they were always able to use the time allocated for training and 27 per cent believe there isn’t enough time in their job plan for training.
• Of the trainees that responded to the questions around discrimination 29 per cent had experienced micro-aggressions, negative comments, or oppressive body language from colleagues. The demographic breakdowns also suggest factors including gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and disability status can negatively impact a trainee’s experience.

The 2024 National Training Survey was completed by more than 74,000 doctors who are either in training or who act as trainers.

We are keen to hear your views on the 2024 National Training Survey, particularly given the focus on medical education in NHS England's Long Term Workforce Plan. 

Please contact us with any comments you may have.