Factors relating to working hours restriction that have impacted the professional identity of trainees in the last decade

Abstract

Ever-developing changes to the working hours of junior doctors by the European Working Time Directive, the junior doctor contract of 2019 and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the professional identity of doctors. There has been little investigation into its influence on the multifaceted aspects of postgraduate medical training, which feeds into how trainees consider themselves professionally and the concept of professional identity or ‘being a doctor’. A review of the medical, socio-political and educational literature reveals that the impact on the professional identity development of trainees is influenced by several perspectives from the trainee, trainer and the public. Gross reduction in working hours has no doubt decreased the raw volume of clinical experiences. However, to counteract this, smarter learning processes have evolved, including narrative reflection, supervised learning events, and a greater awareness of coaching and training among trainers.