Supervision, scheduling, satisfaction and shared working: how experiences of junior doctors relate to excess mortality within the NHS

Abstract

Background We sought to explore associations between trainee doctor perception and excess patient mortality. Methods Data from two publicly available databases reflecting mortality and components of trainee satisfaction within 81 NHS healthcare institutions between the years 2012 and 2019 were analysed. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated. Results All domains of trainee perception were correlated with excess mortality. Clinical supervision out of hours (R=–0.44; p<0.0001), teamwork (R=–0.36; p<0.0001) and clinical supervision at any time (R=–0.35; p<0.0001) were most strongly correlated. Most associations remained consistent year on year. Conclusion Trainee doctor perceptions of clinical supervision, rota design and teamwork within the NHS are consistently correlated with excess patient mortality. Further exploration of these associations could identify opportunities for interventions to reduce excess patient mortality. Given the clinical significance of our findings, organisations should consider rapid implementation of evidence-based interventions where they exist.