Newly graduated doctors’ experiences of conducting medical ward rounds alone: A regional cross-sectional study

• Published in: Future healthcare journal 2019-02, Vol.6 (1), p.47-51
• Main Authors: Pearce, Jessica, Govan, Sameet, Harlinska, Anna, Tremain, Rebecca, Gajebasia, Sareena, Redman, Melody
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original Research
• ISSN: 2514-6645; 2514-6653
• DOI: 10.7861/futurehosp.6-1-47

Newly graduated doctors may be expected to conduct ward rounds alone, yet studies exploring this are limited. A regional cross-sectional study was undertaken to explore foundation year 1 doctors’ (FY1s) experiences of conducting ward rounds alone; all 289 FY1s on medical rotations in Yorkshire and the Humber Foundation School were invited to participate in an online survey in November 2016. Thirty-four percent (n=98) responded. The majority (62%, n=61) of respondents reported conducting the daily ward round alone (without a more senior doctor present) two or more times a week. However, 56% (n=55) reported that they had never received teaching on ward round conduct and only 7% (n=7) reported feeling prepared for conducting ward rounds alone at the start of their medical rotation. FY1-led ward rounds are a regular occurrence yet training is not commonplace; widespread, early training should be considered to prepare future doctors for their role.