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Abstract
EDs are currently under intense pressure due to increased patient demand. There are major issues with retention of senior personnel, making the specialty a less attractive choice for junior doctors. This study aims to explore what attracted EM consultants to their career and keeps them there. It is hoped this can inform recruitment strategies to increase the popularity of EM to medical students and junior doctors, many of whom have very limited EM exposure.
Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 consultants from Welsh EDs using a narrative approach.
Results Three main themes emerged that influenced the career choice of the consultants interviewed: (1) early exposure to positive EM role models; (2) non-hierarchical team structure; (3) suitability of EM for flexible working. The main reason for consultants leaving was the pressure of work impacting on patient care.
Conclusion The study findings suggest that EM consultants in post are positive about their careers despite the high volume of consultant attrition. This study reinforces the need for dedicated undergraduate EM placements to stimulate interest and encourage medical student EM aspirations. Consultants identified that improving the physical working environment, including organisation, would increase their effectiveness and the attractiveness of EM as a long-term career.
- education
- emergency department
- HR management
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Footnotes
Contributor FJ and FG both conceived the study. FG initated the study design, and FJ carried out the data collection and primary data analysis and interpretation. FG supervised this role. FJ drafted the original article, with FG providing critical analyses for the revision of the article. Both FJ and FG approved the final manuscript.
Competing interests None declare.
Ethics approval Ethical approval was obtained from CURES (SMREC Ref 15/04).
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.