First of all I'm not here to scare everyone away from medicine. I just want to inform applicants of the current more concerning issues around being a doctor. I'm a current Y4 medic and have an idea of what I want to do in the future after graduating. after research and speaking to some seniors, and foundation year doctors, I want to warn those looking to apply to medicine. please be aware of the current and upcoming issues doctors are facing today and in the near future. This will DEFINITELY affect you by the time you graduate.
1. Specialty positions are becoming VERY oversaturated over the last 3 or 4 years. Take an example Radiology, used to be about 4:1 in 2020 (4 people apply for every available radiology training job). Now its 12:1 aka very difficult to get in. Radiology may be an exceptional case, but across the board all specialties are going up. This is due to the increase in "noctors" such as PAs which reduce the need for increasing doctor specialist roles (without improving patient care and waiting times, a quick fix to a massive problem), as well as international doctors moving to the UK and taking a huge proportion of jobs compared to UK graduates.
This backlog issue leads to problems with people being "stuck" in foundation training and struggling to progress, with no pay rises. Many junior doctors I've spoken to have regrets about medicine, and stress over their career. The prospect of becoming a consultant is fading.
With med schools increasing the number of students they take in, this will only worsen the problem even more down the line. The government is showing no sign of providing any meaningful solution.
2. The pay is still abysmal despite BMA efforts. Furthermore, locum shifts (extra shifts for extra money) are almost all gone, with not much future of it left. The dream of working £60 an hour to fund a nice holiday or buy a house is fading quick. I used to think that was my plan, sadly I don't think I can get a house with my partner any time soon.
My reasons might be more financial issues, but speaking to seniors and colleagues and doctors, many people are concerned about finances and work life balance. At the end of the day, work is work and you'd like a lot of money if you work very hard. The last thing you want is to feel undervalued, underpaid with financial stress on top of work stress (another topic for another conversation).
Please take this into consideration, but with a pinch of salt. Your reasons for applying to medicine will always trump mine or anyone else's opinion against medicine. Best of luck everyone
