Over 2,000 doctors participated in the Focus On Physicians Survey run by the Royal College of Physicians this year.
Included in the findings relating to job planning: over half of respondents said that their contracted job plan did not reflect all the work they do, and that professional development, service improvement and training doctors were the first to be squeezed out during a busy week.
“When over half of consultants say their job plans don’t reflect the work they actually do, and that workload in busy weeks is squeezing out time to train and supervise other doctors, it’s clear the job planning system is out of step with reality. If we don’t fix this, we risk the further burn out of physicians, restricting their opportunities to engage in vital activities such as service development and the training of the next generation. This not only holds back doctors’ progression but ultimately undermines patient care. A sustainable and effective NHS starts with job plans that respects and reflects the fantastic work that the physician workforce does day in and day out for their patients.”
The survey was open from 12th March to 2nd June 2025 and 90.3% of respondents were employed by the NHS. The three UK Royal Colleges of Physicians will use the survey data to inform their work.
Learn more from the 2025 'Focus on physicians' survey here
Our upcoming Practical Guide to Effective Job Planning virtual course will provide practical guidance on developing clinical leadership skills in leading job plan reviews, achieving service business plans and improving patient care.
Date: Friday 12th December 2025 (Virtual)
To find out more and book your place, visit: https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/a-practical-guide-to-effective-job-planning
