• Helen Grote and Flora Greig.
• Department of Neurology, Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
• Postgrad Med J. 2021 Oct 1; 97 (1152): 623628623-628.

Purpose Of The StudyTo ascertain factors influencing referral to, and outcomes from medical tribunals for junior doctors with less than 7 years of postgraduate training.Study DesignA mixed methods analysis of 49 publicly available determinations from the UK Medical Practitioner Tribunal Service (MPTS) between 2014 and 2020 was undertaken. Data on demographics, training grade, type of case and outcomes from the tribunal were recorded. A qualitative thematic analysis of the determinations was also undertaken, with themes being identified based on frequency and pertinence to the process of determination.ResultsThe largest group of junior doctors referred to an MPTS tribunal (38%) was those on the foundation programme; in their first 2 years postgraduation. Fifty-three per cent of all junior doctors referred to a tribunal were erased from the medical register. Erasure from the register was significantly associated with male gender, less than 4 years postqualification, non-attendance at the tribunal hearing, lack of legal representation and lack of insight or remorse at the tribunal hearing. Several cases involved dishonesty in relation to academic achievements and workplace-based assessments.ConclusionConsideration should be given as to how best to support the transition in professional identity from student to doctor. Teaching medical professionalism should be a priority in undergraduate and early postgraduate education, with lessons from fitness to practice tribunals shared for educational purposes.© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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