P261 Are non-scheme paediatric junior doctors getting access to continuous professional development (CPD) in Ireland?. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shehata, Engy; Armstrong, Sean; Foran, Adrienne
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 104:Supplement 3(2019)
• Page Start: A261
• Page End: A262
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-epa.611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: To determine if paediatric doctors who are not basic (BST) or higher (HST) specialist trainees, get adequate opportunities to maintain their CPD. Methods: A survey of 18 questions (survey monkey) was created that included 17 closed and one open question. Surveys were circulated to paediatric NCHDs by: Email through HR departments, and by lead author via Whatsapp and Facebook. Responses were collected between 27th May and 3rd July 2018. Results: The total number of respondents was 57, with 65% of questionnaires (n=38) completed. Responses came from 17 different hospitals and 18 different graduation countries, 52% (n=30) non EU. 28% (n=13) worked at SHO level and the remainder as registrars. 57% (n=33) were eligible for training schemes. 55% (n=32) did not have a supervisor or named trainer. 86% had the opportunity to avail of internal CPD points and 83% for external, with 83% able to complete an audit every year. Only 34% (n-28) were given an opportunity to undertake research each year, 68% are planning to stay in Ireland long-term. Open ended answers indicated that doctors don't like being excluded from training and it causes them to either switch to GP or leave Ireland altogether to complete their paediatric training. Conclusion: The majority of doctors who are not on a BST/HST scheme have the opportunity to perform an audit yearly and to get the required internal/external CPD points. Access to a named trainer/mentor was patchy and those eligible for training schemes have a more positive response and tend to have a much higher preference to stay in Ireland long-term than non-eligible doctors. With EWTD pressures we may need to consider more sustainable ways of recruiting and retaining this vital workforce.