Trainee workforce

In order to plan the future paediatric medical workforce it is crucial that the College has accurate and up-to-date information about the numbers and characteristics of the paediatric trainee workforce in the UK.

Information on trainee numbers is collected through the registration and enrolment processes in the RCPCH Training Department.

The College also undertakes a series of surveys to establish how trainees' career pathways and intentions shape the future supply of trained paediatricians. 

Are we training the right workforce?

At the RCPCH annual conference in May 2012 the Workforce team will be presenting a poster on the MMC cohort study. All those who began their training in paediatrics in 2007, the first year of run-through training, form a cohort which the RCPCH intends to study through their training career. This is a major opportunity to assess the aspirations and progress of a unique group, and feed vital information into the workforce planning process.

The main findings from Part 1 of the study are available on the MMC cohort study page, along with information about Part 2 of the project, which began in February 2011.

The poster can be downloaded here: Are we training the right workforce?(PDF,1.2MB)

The paediatric trainee workforce

The total number of paediatric trainees in April 2011 was 3714. A full report with regional and gender breakdowns of the training workforce was presented to the RCPCH Training Committee in April 2011.

Paediatric Trainees April 2011 (PDF, 33KB, 5 pages)

CCT recommendations 2010

In 2010, there were 318 RCPCH recommendations for CCT in paediatrics or paediatrics with a subspecialty.

Analysis of the 2010 cohort of CCT holders is available to download here: CCT Class of 2010: The route to paediatric specialism (PDF, 44KB, 8 pages)

The College is currently conducting a survey of those who were recommended for CCT or CESR in 2010 to look at the early career destinations of paediatric CCT and CESR holders. The College intends to repeat this survey annually.

SpR career intentions survey

In October 2004, a survey was conducted to look at final year SpR career intentions. The results are available to download here: Final year SpR career intentions survey (PDF, 135KB, 12 pages)

In September 2006, a questionnaire to follow up the 2004 SpR Career Intentions Survey was distributed to find out if final year trainees’ career intentions had become a reality. The results can be downloaded here: SpR career intentions survey - follow up (PDF, 61KB, 15 pages)

Other related research

BMA cohort study

The BMA cohort study of 2006 medical graduates is a 10-year longitudinal study of the career paths of 431 doctors. In June 2011 the fifth report was published provides information on the careers of doctors, particularly in terms of attrition, patterns of workforce participation and specialty choice, and career progression.

GMC/PMETB Training Surveys

The GMC, formerly PMETB has undertaken national surveys of trainee doctors since 2006 and has also undertaken three surveys of trainers. The most recent report provides the key findings from the National Training Surveys 2011.

UK Medical Careers Research Group

The UK Medical Careers Research Group (UKMCRG) undertakes longitudinal studies of the careers of all doctors who graduated in particular years from UK medical schools. These cohort studies ask structured questions about career intentions and progression, and the factors that influence them. These cohort studies have been funded by the Department of Health since the 1970s.

Useful links

• General Medical Council
• Modernising Medical Careers
• RCPCH Training Pages