Demand for doctors?

Is there a demand in the UK for doctors and is that demand decreasing and where does the trend look like it is going? Do the number of medicine graduates outnumber the number of posts available? Is there a site with this kind of information on it?

Also once you are fully qualified in the UK and you have specialized can you work anywhere in the EU or do you need new qualifications?

edit: The main question is not whether the there is a demand for doctors. As far as i'm aware there is a demand for doctors and that will increase. However does the number of people graduating or becoming qualified exceed the demand.

Is the number of people graduating larger than the number of posts available. Thanks for those who have answered. Do you guys feel like you are entering a field where you will likely never beout of a job.

Also are there any stats our for the demand within each speciality, e.g the demand for neurosurgeons, gp's, radiologists etc

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 1

firestar101

10

There will be no demand for doctors in the future. Computers will take over. No chance.

The computers will do everything. Humans will become insignificant. Lol.

Reply 2

SteveCrain

I think they are developing a computer to cover the role of GP, so I think the demand for doctors will decrease in the future

will find a source now

Reply 3

Beska

21

Are the posts in this thread serious? :confused:

Generally, number of UK graduates = number of UK F1 places, but this year is the first year where it's been oversubscribed (mainly due to increased numbers of EU graduates applying), leading to 300ish UK graduates unable to find a F1 job. Of those 300, they were all put through a so-called 'contingency plan' scheme - not sure if UKFYPO managed to find them jobs in the end or not.

Reply 4

Renal

17

It's not a simple question. There's a demand for doctors, it is growing and likely to continue to grow.

However, a lot of that demand is for consultant grade and middle grade doctors in non training posts, so called career grades. These come reasonably well paid but offer little training and no chance of career progression. There's a stable demand for junior doctors within the NHS but a growing supply of them from medical schools in the UK and Europe. http://www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/pages/home has the best information on the number of jobs and the number of applicants for them. As you progress upward there tend to be more applicants and fewer vacancies.

You can work elsewhere in the EU at any grade, in theory. In practice it varies, many countries are allegedly quite protective over their doctor jobs.

Reply 5

Gowrav

Difficult to say really. Personally I think it will increase. As the populations gets bigger, more and more doctors will need to be hired.

Reply 6

firestar101

10

Original post by firestar101

There will be no demand for doctors in the future. Computers will take over. No chance.

The computers will do everything. Humans will become insignificant. Lol.

Who the hell gave me negative rep for this. Obviously someone can not take a joke.

Reply 7

navarre

20

There can NEVER be enough doctors, quite simply. It is one of the most important jobs in society, and the more doctors there are, the healthier the population is.

So the demand for doctors will never decrease, it will only increase, as the population increases.

Reply 8

thegodofgod

19

I'd say the demand for doctors would increase gradually over time, as things like rates of childhood / normal obesity, heart disease etc. rise, more doctors would be needed to treat more and more patients.

Reply 9

AtomicMan

13

In general, yes.

As medicine becomes more complicated and specialised, there is a growing need for doctors/HCP's to be trained in these areas, ergo the growth of sub-specialities in medicine. But as renal said, I would image it would be highly qualified doctors as opposed to fresh outa medschool baby doctors.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 10

doctorryan

4

I'm hoping the demand will increase :colondollar:

. But I've heard about there being an oversubscription this year of F1 posts, however most of these got their 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice for an F1 position so non were unemployed.
As health care evolves other care staff take on roles similar to that of the doctor. For instance we now have practitioner nurses and prescribing nurses. Phlebotomists...etc. So eventually doctors may, probably not however, become obsolete.
As the health of the population is improved, more health conditions occur, we begin to live longer and thus we need more doctors to take care of the ageing population and new health conditions. So there should, in theory, always be a demand. This is just theory though and 'the best laid plans of mice and men...'

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 11

Renal

17

Original post by doctorryan

I'm hoping the demand will increase :colondollar:

. But I've heard about there being an oversubscription this year of F1 posts, however most of these got their 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice for an F1 position so non were unemployed.

ORLY?

Reply 12

Beska

21

Original post by doctorryan

I'm hoping the demand will increase :colondollar:

. But I've heard about there being an oversubscription this year of F1 posts, however most of these got their 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice for an F1 position so non were unemployed. '

Um, oversubscription of F1 doesn't mean you don't get your first choice - it means you don't get ANY of your choices. And yes, ~300 people didn't get jobs on original allocation. Not sure if they've all been placed or not!

Reply 13

doctorryan

4

Original post by Beska

Um, oversubscription of F1 doesn't mean you don't get your first choice - it means you don't get ANY of your choices. And yes, ~300 people didn't get jobs on original allocation. Not sure if they've all been placed or not!

Ok, oversubscription of certain posts then :colone:

. I heard from the BMA in their newsletter that they got other allocations.

Reply 14

Josh_Dey

16

There is a very high demand for doctors in the Royal Air Force and they can pay for your study.

Reply 15

Beska

21

Original post by doctorryan

Ok, oversubscription of certain posts then :colone:

. I heard from the BMA in their newsletter that they got other allocations.

Ah, did they place them then? Brill! :smile:

Reply 16

muddywaters51

OP

just made an edit. Thanks for answers guys

Reply 17

doctorryan

4

Original post by muddywaters51

Is there a demand in the UK for doctors and is that demand decreasing and where does the trend look like it is going? Do the number of medicine graduates outnumber the number of posts available? Is there a site with this kind of information on it?

Also once you are fully qualified in the UK and you have specialized can you work anywhere in the EU or do you need new qualifications?

edit: The main question is not whether the there is a demand for doctors. As far as i'm aware there is a demand for doctors and that will increase. However does the number of people graduating or becoming qualified exceed the demand.

Is the number of people graduating larger than the number of posts available. Thanks for those who have answered. Do you guys feel like you are entering a field where you will likely never beout of a job.

Also are there any stats our for the demand within each speciality, e.g the demand for neurosurgeons, gp's, radiologists etc

Ah...see your edit! :smile:

our bad...
I think for certain posts the number graduating does exceed demand, i couldn't tell you exactly which though and I don't think a website exists to tell you this...then again you could try the NHS or GMC websites.
I think most medics and hopeful medics (like myself :smile:

) do feel like it is reasonably stable employment wise. However you never can be sure..
I heard a lot of doctors on my work placements mentioning a high demand for geriatricians and GP's. Really depends on where you are in the UK i s'pose.