Enhancing Junior Doctors' Confidence and Competence with Specialist Medicine Weekend Teaching Programme

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in the Future Healthcare Journal has shed light on the effectiveness of the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) Specialist Medicine Weekend Teaching Programme in enhancing junior doctors' confidence, skills, and overall preparedness for their roles. The voluntary ongoing programme, designed to help postgraduate doctors manage acute medical presentations, consists of 45 online sessions spread across 10 months, covering various clinical topics and non-clinical skills such as leadership, communication, and medical education.

Key Takeaways:

  • The programme consists of 45 online sessions (60-90 min each) spread across 10 months, covering various clinical topics alongside non-clinical skills.
  • Doctors below ST4 levels are eligible to enroll, with certification depending on meeting strict criteria.
  • Programme effectiveness is assessed via surveys, with most questions ranked from 1 to 10 (1 being the lowest), with some open-ended responses.
  • Work satisfaction as a doctor saw a substantial increase of 47%, with scores ranging from 1 to 7.
  • Confidence in working within the NHS improved by 31%, as did handling difficult conversations, with a 30% increase in confidence.
  • Communication skills improved by 25% and confidence in leading and conducting audits or quality improvement projects rose from 5.28 to 8.7 (a 67% increase).
  • Teaching skills improved notably by 47% and confidence in presenting a poster at a conference increased to 61%.
  • Understanding of the internal medicine training (IMT)/higher speciality training (HST) application points system significantly improved, with the average score increasing from 5.03 to 8.6 (72%).
  • Preparedness for an IMT/HST interview saw a 126% rise.
  • The overall quality of the programme was rated at an impressive 9.7 out of 10, with the majority of participants giving it a perfect 10.
  • Participants praised the programme's excellent curriculum, organisation, and communication, especially valuing the practical knowledge and case-based discussions.

Statistics:

  • 47% increase in work satisfaction as a doctor.
  • 31% improvement in confidence in working within the NHS.
  • 30% increase in confidence in handling difficult conversations.
  • 25% improvement in communication skills.
  • 67% increase in confidence in leading and conducting audits or quality improvement projects.
  • 47% improvement in teaching skills.
  • 61% confidence in presenting a poster at a conference.
  • 72% improvement in understanding of the internal medicine training (IMT)/higher speciality training (HST) application points system.
  • 126% rise in preparedness for an IMT/HST interview.
  • 9.7 out of 10 rating for the overall quality of the programme.

Sources:

  • Advancing confidence and competence in junior doctors: specialist medicine weekend teaching programme. Future Healthcare Journal, 2025,12(2):100369.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.fhj.2025.100369.