Are specialist registrars fully prepared for the role of consultant?

摘要

The step-up from specialist registrar (SpR) to consultant has been acknowledged by doctors as being Large. It can involve relatively sudden change, and can be both stressful and demanding.1'2 There is increasing pressure on available time for training, with shortened training programmes and fewer hours spent at work as a result of the European Working Time Directive.2'3 Medical education research has not fully addressed this transition or explored ways of improving it for the benefit of patients and doctors.