The millennial doctor - A blue collar worker?

Abstract

The face of medical training has transformed over the last two decades. This has impacted education and training, work ethic and pride within the profession. There are serious concerns that rigid working hours, shift systems, erosion of team-working (with all of the implications this carries for the essential 'apprenticeship' of postgraduate medical training) and repeated political interference will transform the millennial doctor into a 'blue collar' worker. Morale is at an all-time low and more needs to be done to support and value junior doctors, raise awareness of work-life balance issues and improve working lives. Initiatives such as the Royal College of Physicians' Underfunded, underdoctored and overstretched report and the chief registrar project are crucial triggers to raise morale and restore pride in this most rewarding of professions.