Choosing a career in paediatrics: do trainees’ views change over the first year of specialty training?

OBJECTIVES: To look at why a regional cohort of UK doctors chose a paediatric career and to ascertain views on their career near the end of training year one. DESIGN: A 20-item questionnaire was sent to all new regional paediatric specialty trainees. Three focus groups were held with trainees near the end of year one to elicit key themes. SETTING: West Midlands Deanery, UK PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine new regional paediatric specialty trainees in year one completed the questionnaire. A total of 15 trainees participated in the focus groups near the end of year one training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reasons for choosing a paediatric career and factors which further influence career choice for trainees during their first specialty training year. RESULTS: Key influencing factors for choosing paediatrics were enjoying working with children and positive undergraduate experience of the specialty. All trainees had paediatrics as their first choice specialty and undertook a paediatric Foundation post. Near the end of year one, doubts were cast on career aspirations due to seeing middle grade colleagues struggling with work–life balance and a growing feeling that family came first. CONCLUSIONS: Senior trainees need to be aware that they act as powerful role models for their more junior colleagues and therefore have an influential role on how juniors perceive a paediatric career. Family friendly flexible working patterns in paediatrics are vital to retain junior trainees. All paediatric staff are role models and need to be enthusiastic, keen to teach and to promote a positive working environment.