Anxiety among newly-qualified doctors: An eight-year analysis

Abstract

Background: Stressed and anxious doctors are more likely to make errors, take time off work and to leave medicine. This study aims to quantify the prevalence of anxiety among newly-qualified Foundation Year 1 doctors (FY1s), identify high risk groups and determine workplace factors associated with anxiety.

Methods: We investigated self-reported anxiety among eight cohorts of FY1s between 2010 and 2017. Participants completed an online survey after their first week of work (n = 11,839), with a follow-up survey later in the year (n = 3502). Surveys included questions about the workplace and a validated screening tool for pathological anxiety.

Results: Overall, a large proportion of doctors screened positive for pathological anxiety at the start of their FY1 year (27.3%) and after 4 months of work (21.0%). Year-on-year, we found a growing burden of anxiety at the start of FY1 (22.8% in 2010 vs. 29.6% in 2017, p < 0.01) and at follow-up. Anxiety was significantly higher among females (p < 0.01), those aged 21–25 (p < 0.05) and those who did not feel part of a team (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: We found a growing burden of anxiety among FY1s associated with a perceived lack of support. We hope our findings will inform interventions to support newly-qualified doctors as they transition into the workplace.

Disclosure statement

Clare Van Hamel is employed by Health Education Southwest and clinical advisor to the UK Foundation Program Office (UKFPO). The UKFPO supported this study and helped to publicize it but did not have any involvement in the study financially, in the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, the writing of the article or in the decision to submit for publication. The authors report that they have no other declarations of interest.

Note

Notes

1 Statistical significance is lost if the 2010 anomalous data-point is included.

Additional information

Funding

All funding for this study came from the Severn Foundation School.

Notes on contributors

John Hugh McCullough

Dr. John Hugh McCullough, MBBS, MSc, PG Cert (Med Ed), FHEA has recent experience of the UK Foundation Program at Severn Deanery, where he was Foundation Fellow for Education.

Clare van Hamel

Dr. Clare van Hamel, MBBS, FRCA is Severn Foundation School Director and Clinical Advisor to the United Kingdom Foundation Program Office.