Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Objectives The paediatric foundation doctor taster scheme based in South Wales was established in 2021. The scheme, which allows participants to experience paediatrics and improves paediatric specialty exposure, has now extended to three healthboards. Doctors select from a 2 or 5 day experience in general paediatrics plus specialities including neonates, cardiology, community paediatrics or palliative care. Methods The scheme is managed by a nominated paediatric trainee-led foundation liaison team. Participants contact the liaison team by e-mail expressing interest and avaliability, a taster programme is allocated, and departments are contacted. Questionnaires are sent pre and post taster to capture participant feelings about a career in paediatrics and any previous exposure to paediatrics. A certificate is generated for the foundation doctor and signposting given about mentorship and career guidance. 6–12 months after the scheme participants are contacted and sent an anonymous follow-up questionnaire to capture their onward career decisions. Results 23 doctors have taken part since 2021 with a further 8 doctors with tasters planned by December 2023. Majority are foundation year one doctors, and 53% have or will have a paediatric job in their foundation training. Pre taster: the average likelihood of participants to pursue a paediatric career was 6.8/10. After the scheme, this increased to 8.3/10 with an average rating of 9/10 for enjoyment. 78% participants said the scheme has influenced their decision to pursue paediatrics. Participants commended the scheme for its organisation, ease and welcoming nature. 8 doctors responded to the follow-up survey with 2 doctors still in the foundation training. 1 doctor has entered paediatric training and 5 doctors are taking a non-training FY3 year. 62.5% of those who responded were planning to apply for paediatric training. Conclusion This scheme is an example of a successful, trainee-led initiative which is receiving overwhelming positive feedback. By the end of 2023, we anticipate having over 30 doctors having taken part in the scheme across 3 sites and a variety of specialities. A formal taster scheme encourages junior doctors to consider career options in a structured way and to work directly with role models. It is not yet evidenced whether the scheme has directly impacted on uptake of paediatric training due to the increasing prevelance of foundation year 3 years, but we believe this scheme is transferrable to healthboards across the UK and should be introduced nationwide.
Johnson et al. (Tue,) studied this question.