AMA Trainee Forum on College Initiatives Supporting Trainee Wellbeing

The AMA Trainee Forum brings together the 16 medical colleges in addition to other representative groups such as AIDA to discuss issues important to Trainees. CDT Chair Dr Hannah Szewczyk chaired the discussion with representatives from specialist medical college trainee chairs and representatives about college initiatives to support trainee wellbeing. 

Medical Trainees experience high levels of burn out and other wellbeing issues, these are often exacerbated or caused by structural norms and policies that disregard or minimise the importance of trainee wellbeing. Colleges are encouraged to ensure governance structures meaningfully support and resource wellbeing initiatives and policies. Trainees discussed that often any wellbeing policies developed by colleges are only in name or on paper. 

Trainees also discussed the lack of postvention policies developed by colleges, financial wellbeing often being overlooked, and issues around college supported mentoring programmes. However, trainee representatives also identified a range of policies and initiatives colleges can implement to support trainee wellbeing. These include granting CPD points for self-care or wellbeing activities such as seeing a GP, wellbeing working groups, and encouraging flexible training options. 

Colleges investing in trainee wellbeing can create a greater sense of identity, safety and satisfaction between the trainee and their college. The Trainee Forum discussions reiterated that trainees must be meaningfully represented on college education and governance committees. 

The full communique of findings and discussions will be released shortly. 

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