Delays in sharing rotas is a long standing issue, but one that risks forcing doctors out of the profession, writes Rammina Yassaie<\/p>\n
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During the covid-19 crisis, the NHS has stepped up to the plate. Many junior doctors, for example, accepted being redeployed to a different job, in a different place, within a different team, with no quibbles. Meanwhile training has largely been neglected and family lives upheaved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While I would expect no less from my fantastic colleagues at a time of national crisis I would hope that the relevant organisations would recognise this hard work and reciprocate with a change that has long been needed\u2014sending doctors their rotas on time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Rota angst is a well known phenomenon amongst medics. The absence of a timely rota leads to anxiety about the organisation of things like childcare. It also leads to worries about being unable to attend important personal and professional events, such as weddings and conferences.<\/span><\/p>\n While there have been recent improvements to national guidance on rostering<\/span>, the problem remains endemic in many hospital trusts.<\/span><\/p>\n As a result, many junior doctors have entered a state of learned helplessness\u2014they believe they lack control over the scheduling of the next weeks to months of their lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n