One in five UK medical students ‘considering dropping out’

One in five medical students in the UK is considering dropping out of their undergraduate studies, amid mounting concern about clinician burnout, according to a report.

The findings came as Universities UK (UUK) warned that the Westminster government’s plans to strengthen the NHS can only be achieved if significant changes are made to healthcare education and training.

The new research, by Elsevier Health, found that although almost nine out of 10 medical and nursing students in the UK feel devoted to improving patients’ lives, one in five is considering quitting their undergraduate studies.

It also found that 58 per cent see their current studies as a stepping stone towards a broader career in healthcare that will not involve directly caring for patients.

And three-quarters of them are concerned about healthcare staff shortages and the impact this would have on them in their future role.

The study was based on a survey of 2,212 global medical and nursing students, including 325 in the UK.

Recent figures have shown that there are more than 125,000 vacancies in secondary care in England, and the waiting list for NHS treatment currently stands at a record 7.75 million.

The report also found similar levels of dissatisfaction among medical students in the US.

Jan Herzhoff, president of Elsevier Health, said: “It’s clear that healthcare across the globe is facing unprecedented pressures, and that the next generation of medical and nursing students are anxious about their future.

“It is essential that the whole healthcare community comes together to ensure a sustainable pipeline of healthcare professionals.”

Separately, UUK published a paper that identified the key criteria required for a new approach to healthcare education and training, which it said is needed if the government is to deliver on its plans to strengthen the NHS.

UUK said the success of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, which was published by the government earlier this year, hinges on universities both educating the next generation of healthcare professionals, and driving innovation that can improve health outcomes.

But to meet its objectives, UUK warned that higher education must expand health education capacity, and the NHS must place more value on students and educators.

Alistair Fitt, UUK’s health policy lead and vice-chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, said the government must work closely with universities to fund the plan to develop a well-staffed and efficient NHS.

“We must take bold decisions to ensure the conditions are right for universities to train staff adequately, including on funding and capital investment, staffing and student recruitment,” he said.

“For the government’s ambitions for our National Health Service to come to fruition requires a step-change in healthcare education.”

UUK’s plan involves boosting student recruitment, increasing the numbers of educators and investing in new facilities and infrastructure.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com