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. 2011 Aug;11(4):322-6.
doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.11-4-322.

'August is always a nightmare': results of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Society of Acute Medicine August transition survey

Louella Vaughan  1 , Graeme McAlister, Derek Bell
Affiliations

'August is always a nightmare': results of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Society of Acute Medicine August transition survey

Louella Vaughan et al. Clin Med (Lond). 2011 Aug.

Abstract

An electronic survey was used to assess perceptions of the disruption caused by the August transition and explore support for possible solutions. In total, 763 responses from members and fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the Society of Acute Medicine were received. The majority perceived the August transition to have a negative impact on patient care (93.1%), patient safety (90.4%) and training (57.8%) for a period of up to one month. In total 680/737 respondents wished to shift away from a single changeover day, with strong support for a staggered changeover by grade. Changes to consultant working practices were felt to be beneficial, especially the cancellation of outpatient clinics (75%) and the restriction of leave (69.9%). Further use of shadowing (74.1%) and online induction (37%) was supported. This paper concludes that there is a high degree of support for structured change to the current provisions for junior doctor changeover.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Distribution of respondents by grade. CMT = core medical training; FY = foundation year; SpR = specialist registrar; ST = specialty training.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Distribution of respondents working in adult medical specialties.
Fig 3.
Fig 3.
Perceived impact of the August Transition on hospital functioning and junior medical staff training.
Fig 4.
Fig 4.
Length of perceived impact of the August Transition on hospital functioning and junior medical staff training,
Fig 5.
Fig 5.
Preferences by type of transition.
Fig 6.
Fig 6.
Changes to consultant work practices perceived to be beneficial during the August Transition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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