Since coming into line with European law in 1995 junior doctors are expected to work no more than 72 hours per week and the European commission is currently working to reduce the working week even further to a maximum of 48 hours. Many junior and senior doctors have expressed concern over the training opportunities which would be missed by junior doctors working a shift pattern to reduce hours. Using a confidential questionnaire we approached 136 trainees in a large teaching hospital for their views.
CalmanK.Hospital doctors: training for the future. The report of the working group on specialist medical training. London: Health Publications Unit, 1993.
2.
Collins REC Surgeons and the New Deal - good deal or raw deal. Ann R Coll Surg Eng (supp)1995; 77: 297–98.
3.
Royal College of Physcians of Edinburgh. Review of the working patterns training and experience on medical SHO's in Scotland.
4.
PotterRW. Surgical training and education. Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh1996; 41 (3): 204–206.
5.
MacIntyreIM. UK Surgical training: current problems and possible solutions. Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh1996; 41 (3): 209–212.
6.
HunterS, McLarenP.Specialist medical training and the Caiman Report. Br Med J1993; 306: 1281–82.
7.
DumskyjM.Experience is paramount for successful management of disease. Br Med J1998; 316: 1828.
8.
HollingworthT.Reservations about the implementation of the New Deal. British Journal of Hospital Medicine1993; 150: 621
9.
CarterD. New CMO criticies training reforms. Br Med J1996; 313: 947.
10.
CollierSO, CalneR.Surgical training: experience sacrificed to change in practice. BMJ1993; 307: 1210.
11.
CroftsTLSurgical training: an objective assessment of the recent changes for a single health board. Br Med J1997; 307: 871–72.
