What do you do when you don't know what to do? GP associates in training (AiT) and their experiences of uncertainty

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN IN THIS AREA • ‘Uncertainty’ is inevitable in medical practice and has been linked to doctors' experiences of ambiguity.• Approaches to uncertainty include ‘toleration’ and ‘control’, while uncertainty has also been seen as ‘relational’, arising between doctors and their patients together.• Various taxonomies have been proposed including dimensions of scientific knowledge, service design and patients own concerns.WHAT THIS WORK ADDS • Discussions among associates in training (AiT) revealed narratives of uncertainty which included reflection and interpretation.• AiTs found some ‘functional ways through’ uncertainty, however, uncertainty also resulted in ‘dysfunctional ways out’.• A pragmatic classification of uncertainty in general practice emerged, comprising analysing, negotiating, networking and team-working uncertainties, which facilitates identification of the skills AiTs need to develop.SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE WORK • Can this pragmatic classification of uncertainty result in educational interventions to help AiTs to manage uncertainty more effectively?• What techniques will help AiTs to learn to manage the emotional burden of uncertainty and maintain resilience?• Could this classification of uncertainty help doctors in other specialities?