1 per cent of specialist trainees enrolled in flexible training in 2022/2023

Just 1 per cent of specialist trainees accessed flexible training in 2022/2023, according to Medical Council data.

The Medical Council’s 2024 Quantitative Annual Returns show that uptake of flexible training is consistently low.

Flexible training schemes are designed to accommodate doctors who have personal or professional commitments that make full-time training difficult. These schemes allow doctors to work less than full-time while still completing their training and progressing in their careers.

Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, Medical Council President Dr Suzanne Crowe commented: “I would encourage doctors in specialist training programmes to seek information on flexible options if they are struggling currently. Resources are available, but more encouragement and mentorship among doctors is also needed.

“Flexible training can be a useful option for doctors who may have caring responsibilities, who prefer to train in a part-time capacity, or who desire a better work/life balance. Our research shows that doctors continue to leave the register each year for reasons such as burnout and lack of flexibility.

“Women can bring a unique understanding of women’s health issues, paving the way for change in medicine, and helping other patients to feel safe and heard. I often speak about the fact that doctors who have familial and care priorities at home need greater flexibility and work arrangements. These are essential components in ensuring we retain our doctors in Ireland.”

The Medical Council’s 2024 Quantitative Annual Returns shows:

• Doctors’ uptake of flexible training is consistently low. Overall, just 1 per cent of doctors in basic specialist training (BST) and 6 per cent in higher specialist training (HST) availed of flexible training options in 2022/2023.
• The most popular type of flexible training and leave were post reassignment requests and approved leave, such as maternity, paternity, personal leave, etc.
• The gender balance among doctors enrolled in programmes of specialist training in 2022/2023 was quite evenly split, with slightly more females than males at both BST and HST level (54 per cent of doctors in BST programmes were female and 46 per cent were male; in HST, 56 per cent of doctors were female and 44 per cent were male).
• The figures for some individual programmes showed more marked gender imbalances. In BST, the majority of doctors specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology (87 per cent) and paediatrics (74 per cent) were female. In HST, female doctors were in the majority in public health medicine (85 per cent) and obstetrics and gynaecology (84 per cent) while males were the majority in neurosurgery (89 per cent) and trauma and orthopaedic surgery (78 per cent).

Dr Crowe noted that medical training has historically been gendered or male-focused.

The Council President also commented on recent progress in improving equitable access to medical treatment for women. “I’m pleased to see that this week, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD led the launch of Women’s Health Week 2025, which affirms the Department of Health’s commitment to driving continued progress across all aspects of healthcare to ensure an equitable service for everyone.

“Since the launch of the first Women’s Health Action Plan three years ago, I have been pleased to see initiatives such as specialist endometriosis teams, the opening of more ambulatory gynaecology clinics, and treatments focusing on prevention and early intervention initiatives for cardiovascular and bone health, aimed at women in midlife and older. There is no one size fits all model of care, and for women to live longer, healthier lives, gender-specific healthcare is essential.”

Find out more about International Women’s Day here:  https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Missions/20806/How-can-we-accelerate-action-for-addressing-the-gender-health-gap