In This Video published by the BMA on 10 April 2017, Dr Raj Nirula talks about the SAS career and its benefits.
The video discusses the challenges Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors face, particularly concerning their limited access to training and career development opportunities. Despite the video’s age, recent data indicates that these challenges persist.
Summary of the Video:
The video highlights several key issues encountered by SAS doctors:
- Limited Access to Training: SAS doctors often struggle to obtain opportunities readily available to their counterparts in training roles.
- Career Progression Barriers: Many SAS doctors face obstacles in advancing their careers, partly due to the lack of structured development pathways.
- Workplace Challenges: Bullying, undermining behavior, and a general lack of support contribute to challenging work environments for some SAS doctors.
Insights into Ongoing Challenges:
Recent surveys by the General Medical Council (GMC) reveal that these issues remain prevalent:
- Unfair Treatment: A significant proportion of SAS and Locally Employed (LE) doctors report experiences of rudeness, incivility, belittling, and humiliation in the workplace. For instance, a GMC survey found that 30% of SAS and 23% of LE doctors had been bullied, undermined, or harassed at work in the past year. GMC UK
- Lack of Career Development Opportunities: Many SAS doctors lack access to professional development, with some reporting difficulties in accessing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities. A GMC survey indicated that over four in ten SAS and LE doctors had difficulty accessing CPD opportunities. GMC UK
- Burnout and Well-being Concerns: High workloads and limited support contribute to burnout among SAS doctors. A GMC survey reported that a quarter of SAS doctors and nearly a third of LE doctors felt burnt out because of their work. GMC UK
Factors Contributing to Persistent Challenges:
Several factors contribute to the ongoing difficulties faced by SAS doctors:
- Systemic Issues: The healthcare system’s structure often overlooks the unique needs of SAS doctors, leading to inadequate support and recognition.
- Cultural Barriers: Workplace cultures that tolerate or fail to address undermining behaviours can perpetuate negative experiences for SAS doctors.
- Lack of Targeted Support: These issues are likely to persist Without specific interventions to address the challenges faced by SAS doctors.
Conclusion:
While the video highlighted the challenges SAS doctors face, recent data indicates that these issues remain unresolved. Addressing them requires systemic changes, cultural shifts within healthcare environments, and targeted support to ensure SAS doctors have equitable access to opportunities and a supportive workplace.
