Next steps in dermatology training: choosing to enter higher speciality training and the transition from trainee to consultant dermatologist

Abstract

Background: Junior doctors are required to make career decisions at an early stage in their postgraduate training. Trainees also feel inadequately prepared for the transition to consultant roles.

Aim: To explore the key factors influencing the choice of dermatology as a postgraduate medical career and to identify the training needs required for transition from trainee to consultant.

Methods: An online questionnaire was designed to identify (i) why trainees chose a postgraduate medical career in dermatology, and (ii) the training required for transition from trainee to consultant.

Results: In total, 46 responses were received from trainees in their first to final years (ST3-6), of whom 89% had undertaken an undergraduate dermatology placement, with a median duration of 2 weeks. Dermatology was considered as a career during medical school by 61% of trainees, and 41% confirmed their decision to pursue a career in dermatology during foundation training. The most influential factors involved in speciality selection were first, enjoyment of the work, second, postgraduate experience and equal third, the variety of the speciality and the regularity of working hours (P < 0.05). Mentoring was pivotal to career decision-making. Significant numbers of trainees expressed a need for training in medical leadership, such as running an outpatient clinic and supervising clinical multidisciplinary teams. Although larger numbers of trainees had training in management of dermatology services, such as service improvement (52%) and local governance/National Health Service structures (43%), significant numbers of trainees had no training in writing job plans (89%) or business plans (85%). Training was significantly deficient for personal management and self-awareness.

Conclusion: Our study highlights important considerations in career decision-making for trainees. Training in medical leadership, management and self-awareness could be enhanced to ensure that trainees feel adequately equipped for consultant roles.