The GMC’s annual training survey found, which was published yesterday (9 July) also found almost one in three say they are often “exhausted” in the morning at the thought of another shift.
Almost half of trainees reported regularly working beyond their rostered hours, and around one in five say they often feel short of sleep while at work.
And more than a third (40%) described the intensity of their work as “heavy or very heavy”.
Trainers also reported heavy workloads, with a third of them saying it was hard to find the time they need to fulfil their educational roles.
The GMC’s Chief Executive, Charlie Massey said doctors are working in highly pressured environments and are “telling us that as a result they are struggling to find time for essential training”.
“This is a major concern for us. Training must be protected and safe, and employers need to address this urgently,” added Mr Massey.
The Chairman of the BMA junior doctors committee, Dr Jeeves Wijesuriya, commented: “Junior doctors miss training opportunities because there are not enough staff to fill rotas and because their trainers don’t have the time to provide the education and mentoring they need. It is more important than ever that high quality training with expert clinical supervision is not neglected.
“It is unacceptable to see such a large proportion of junior doctors reporting being burnt out, given the intense pressure trainees continue to be placed under in the NHS and it’s no surprise that an increasing number of doctors take a break in their training when poor employment practices and pressures throughout the healthcare system are having such a detrimental effect on their health and wellbeing,” added Dr Wijesuriya.
