Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
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Maternity leave and part-time training should facilitate the integration of the family and professional lives of young women doctors - whom the NHS cannot afford to lose as their numbers rise to half the number of the graduates of UK medical schools. Women doctors' planned professional activity is high, but to what extent do the maternity leave and part-time training arrangements assist them in fulfilling their plans? One hundred and forty-five young women doctors reported their experiences of and views on maternity leave and part-time training. Most had children between 6 and 10 years after qualification, to fit with career development. ⋯ When asked to comment about part-time training, most (77%) expressed themselves as broadly in favour - only three actively opposing it. It was perceived as difficult to organize by 20% of respondents, as difficult to undertake by 29%, and as being of low status by 15%. This study concludes that the arrangements for maternity leave need to be improved and that the availability and status of part-time training need enhancing - especially to encourage women doctors to enter careers in hospital medicine.
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A survey was performed of 425 consecutive patients attending Lewisham Hospital as a result of deliberate physical violence. Eighty-two per cent attended 'out of hours', and in at least 50% alcohol was a contributing factor. Less than half the incidents were reported to the police. ⋯ The results support the view that it is becoming common for youths to be armed. Assault victims, particularly those with knife wounds place a considerable burden on hospital resources. Accident and Emergency departments are ideal places to monitor the epidemiology of assaults.