Compassionate leadership during COVID-19: An ABC approach to the introduction of new medical graduates as Foundation interim Year 1s (FiY1s)

Abstract

Background Increasingly challenging workplaces detrimentally affect doctors' well-being and patient care. The General Medical Council's € ABC' compassionate leadership model aims to improve doctor well-being. When COVID-19 emerged, a 4 Nation agreement facilitated early graduation and provisional registration of final year medical students and deployment of new graduates into Foundation interim Year 1 (FiY1) positions. We report how the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) applied compassionate leadership to the induction of FiY1s. Methods Employing € What matters to you', we identified FiY1s' educational objectives and reviewed information dissemination options within distancing restrictions. A dedicated FiY1 webpage summarised requirements and resources. A regional digital induction with a well-being emphasis facilitated flexible completion. Welcome packs promoted belonging while a € buddy system' delivered support. Collaboration with other stakeholders created staggered follow-up video conferences providing practical and psychological support, removing communication barriers. Findings Feedback showed high FiY1 satisfaction with the global introduction to practice (83%) and 82% felt valued by NIMDTA and by Trusts after process completion. Conclusion Applying compassionate leadership to induction creates positive effects on doctors' feeling of value and aligns with organisational strategic aims to support, develop and retain doctors in training programmes. We envision this model being applied to future postgraduate induction programmes.