myBSPR.org

Presented by  Shy Mohan Registrar Representative BSPR Junior Forum at BSPR 2013 at York

Background

Current difficulty in recruiting consultant Paediatric Radiologists

at least 12 vacant substantive posts in UK

Perceived lack of interest in subspecialty by trainees

 RCR 2010 workforce survey suggests 1 in 13 consultant posts are vacant

Trainee Survey

Sent to all Training Schemes , through BSPR members

Responses from all but 2 Schemes

133 responses (currently approximately 920 trainees in radiology)

Survey monkey; 10 questions

1. What is your current level of radiology training ?

ST1 - 18; ST2 - 31; ST3 - 25; ST4 - 24; ST5 - 23; ST6 or above 11

2. Which Training Scheme are you based?

E midlands - 2; E of England - 2; London - 19; Mersey - 1; N Ireland - 10

North west - 15; Oxford - 3; Scotland - 17; Severn - 1; SW Penninsula - 11

Wessex - 4; W Midlands - 12; Yorkshire and Humber - 26; Wales - 3

3. How much experience of Paediatric Radiology do you gain, on average, during your general radiology training (ST1 to ST3) in your scheme?

 <2 months - 11; 2 to 4 months - 99; 4 to 6 months - 17; >6 months - 5

4. How much clinical experience did you have prior to radiology training?

 <1 year - 10; 1 to 2 years - 41; 2 to 3 years - 23; >3 years - 58

5. How much clinical experience did you have in Paediatric medicine or surgery  prior to radiology training?

 None - 77; < 6 months - 41; 6 to 12 months - 13; 1 to 2 years - 0; >2 years - 1

6. Is there a structured specialist training scheme for Paediatric radiology specialisation (ST4 and 5) in your training scheme?

 No - 29 (24%); Yes 90 (76%)

7. Have you considered an Out of Programme Training (OOPT) in paediatric radiology?

Completed - 1; Arranged or planned - 2; Would like to do but limited opportunities - 22;

No - 102

8. Would you consider Paediatric radiology as an area of specialisation

As a special interest in a DGH setting - 37; as a specialty in a tertiary centre - 19

Undecided - 18; No - 69

9. If you answered No to the previous question, what is the main reason for not choosing paediatric radiology as a specialisation?

 I prefer another specialty - 20; I do not want to work with children - 25; no job satisfaction - 2; not enough private work - 3; NAI reporting can be problematic - 12; it is a difficult specialty - 13

10. in your institution, is there round the clock Consultant cover for paediatric radiology?

Yes, a dedicated rota - 65; Yes covered by general consultants - 25; Yes from another hospital - 9; No -32

Conclusions

Overall situation not as bad as feared

Main reasons for not choosing the specialty;

 - not wanting to work with children

- NAI reporting

 - perceived  difficulty of the specialty

Interest in specialisation as a DGH radiologist

for those interested, limited OOPT opportunities

25% surveyed report lack of consultant paediatric radiology on call cover.

Training

RCR recommendations about Level 1 and Level 2 training

OOPT opportunities

Fellowships within UK at 4 hospitals

Fellowships outwith the UK