Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Careers Data chart

More doctors are taking a break from training after foundation programme

BMJ 2019; 364 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l842 (Published 27 February 2019) Cite this as: BMJ 2019;364:l842

Rapid Response:

Re: More doctors are taking a break from training after foundation programme

The figure included in the article beautifully represents the trend in the pathway undertaken by clinicians after foundation training. It clearly demonstrates an increasing reluctance to enter speciality training immediately - but also invites a longitudinal observational study to look at the pros & cons of such a delay.
This natural experiment could highlight whether there was a significant positive outcome in taking a break for their long-term job opportunities, mental health, resilience and resistance to burnout, lifestyle balance and overall happiness.

Competing interests: No competing interests

05 March 2019
Sundas Butt
medical student
Mark Davies, consultant in anaesthesia & perioperative medicine
Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust
Liverpool L7 8XP