UKFPO Bulletin: 25 August 2021

Welcome.

I’d like to start this week with a brief update on the curriculum. I’ve been keeping an eye on the “curriculum2021” inbox and some themes are emerging. Firstly, ‘core procedures’ have been removed in the 2021 version. Foundation doctors are still expected to carry out procedures as part of their care for patients (FPC4) but specific procedures are not named. In this context, the important areas to consider are around understanding the indication for the procedure, knowing the complications, ensuring consent is obtained, carrying out the procedure safely, documenting clearly and arranging appropriate follow up. This can be recorded in the e-portfolio as an SLE in the form of DOPS or LEARN.

Secondly, there have been a few queries about ILS and ALS. Foundation Doctors are still expected to obtain and demonstrate acute skills as detailed in FPC2 this will include some procedures too). A very good way to learn these is on an ILS or ALS course, however, it is not within the authority of the UKFPO to mandate a particular course. Other training opportunities may be available. However, I want to make clear that this is very different to requirements that healthcare providers may stipulate for their employees as part of their governance processes.

Thirdly, I wanted to mention ‘core teaching’, which includes simulation. There are various ways to provide this, one of which is linked below in the ‘Beat’ eating disorders link. There are many resources out there but these have been developed to disseminate an understanding of these important conditions and are well worth exploring.

Finally, could I remind all the F1s to complete their induction survey (see below).  Your feedback provides really useful information when planning inductions for next year.

Tony Choules, Operational Advisor to the UKFPO

Reminder: UKFPO F1 trainee induction survey

New F1 doctors, please complete the UKFPO F1 trainee induction survey, which is open until the end of September 2021. This is part of a long term project to identify any concerns/anxieties you may have about starting your F1 post. The information you provide will help to develop a realistic evaluation of the induction programme and help us to improve working life for future trainees. It should only take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. The survey is anonymous and your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated. See further information in this invitation letter.

Events, Information and Opportunities from External Partners

Webinar 16 Sep – Beat – Eating disorders training

Beat are running a webinar on 16 September designed to guide educators through delivering the scenario-based element of their eating disorders training package. More details can be found here.

General Medical Council (GMC) – Supporting doctors with their practice

A doctor’s faith and values can be a great personal support to them throughout their life and career. But there may be times when their beliefs impact the way they practise. 

Our new webpage brings together key aspects of our guidance on personal beliefs. It contains resources and good practice examples for medical schools, employers and training organisations, to help them better support their colleagues and students. And it will help doctors to practise in line with their faith and values, while ensuring their patients receive the care they need.

Developing this new resource is part of our ongoing work to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in medicine, for the benefit of both doctors and patients.

Do you want to know more about why and when you experience stress as a foundation doctor?

F1 and F2 training can be a stressful time for foundation doctors and the working conditions you may encounter may be particularly challenging in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We would like to understand what causes stress for foundation doctors and how you manage this stress over time. The purpose of our study is to understand the factors and conditions that contribute to foundation doctors feeling you cannot manage the challenges you encounter. By conducting this study, we hope to shed more light on the well-being of foundation doctors, such that resources and interventions can be developed to support those at risk of overload.

The study itself will involve completing an audio-diary for a two-month period to record your experiences of stress. More information can be found in the attached infographic.

There are several benefits of participating in the study. First, we will provide each participant with a tailored report on your triggers of stress and how these unfolded over time, derived from a team of experts. Secondly, we will give each participant £50 for participating, and you will also be entered into a prize draw where you could win a further £100.

If you are interested in participating, simply send an email to Sanjay Popat at bn14s9p@leeds.ac.uk with “Yes” in the title and Sanjay will follow up with more details.

Research call out – Only Time Will Tell: The Temporality of Occupational Stress in Foundation Doctors

Are you an F1 or F2 doctor who has recently experienced stress as part of your job?

Do you want to participate in a novel research study which will help to inform stress interventions for foundation doctors?

Do you want to receive a £50 payment, be entered into a cash prize draw, and receive a tailored report on your wellbeing from a team of experts?

We understand how challenging these past 18 months have been for you as junior doctors in the NHS, with the COVID-19 pandemic taking its toll on the mental health of many staff. That’s why we would like to invite you to participate in this research exploring work-related stress over time in foundation doctors. We hope that the findings from such research can be used to shed more light on the well-being of staff, draw more resources towards this and develop targeted interventions for foundation doctors.

Please see the attachment to learn more about participating. Reply YES to bn14s9p@leeds.ac.uk if you are interested and want to learn more.

RCPath Foundation Fellowships 2021

Following the success of this scheme last year, the College will again be making available up to 25 new Foundation Fellowships annually. The Foundation Fellowship scheme is open to foundation doctors who secure a post in which they will rotate through a pathology specialty – this includes histopathology, haematology, medical microbiology and infectious diseases or any other specialty represented by the College. Candidates will be selected through a competitive application process, and successful applicants will hold the status of Foundation Fellow throughout their Foundation rotation. Fellows will be eligible for a range of benefits and opportunities.

Applications are open until 31 August 2021, with successful candidates informed at the end of September. Further information is available on the College website. Please forward this information to any foundation doctors who may be eligible and have an interest in applying.

Mind the Bleep

Mind the Bleep supports foundation doctors with free content on clinical, employment & career topics. Get in touch if you’re keen to boost your portfolio e.g. lead a national QIP. If you’re a new FY1, they’re providing weekly webinars to help you! Mind the Bleep is created by Dr Akash Doshi, a medical registrar who loves teaching & supporting foundation doctors. He’s always happy to be contacted to offer help & support to anyone.