New research suggests that failure by junior doctors in their annual changeover period to identify deteriorating patients and poor prioritisation skills are likely to drive a reduction in the quality and safety of patient care.
August is a period associated with worse clinical outcomes than the rest of the year. Researchers writing in JRSM Short Reports found that there was a significant increase in the number of urgent medical tasks after changeover, but that new junior doctors completed routine tasks quicker than their more experienced predecessors. The researchers analysed data from the wireless system for the management of out-of-hours workflow at City Hospital and the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham. Leading the research team, Dr John Blakey of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said: “The abrupt change to the provision of care by junior doctors who are inexperienced, or who are less experienced for their level of seniority, presents clear potential for a reduction in the quality and safety of patient care.” The study lends empirical evidence to qualitative research investigating whether junior doctors are prepared for the practicalities and complexities of their first posting, say the researchers. They suggest improved training, supervision and quality control could reduce omissions, errors, failure to recognise deterioration and poor task prioritisation skills.
