Aim To compare trends in the volume, socio-demography and academic experience of UK applicants and entrants to medicine and dentistry in the UK with university in general, before and after the major increase in university fees in England in 2012.Methods Descriptive trend analyses of University and College Admissions Services (UCAS) data for focused (preferred subject was medicine or dentistry) and accepted applicants, 2010-14, compared with university in general in relation to socio-demography (age, sex, ethnicity, POLAR 2, region) and academic experience (school type). POLAR2 data provide an indication of the likelihood of young people in the area participating in further or higher education.Results In 2012 the volume of applicants to medicine and dentistry fell by 2.4% and 7.8% respectively, compared with 6.6% for university overall. Medical applications remained buoyant and by 2014 had risen by 10.2% from 2010 to 23,365. While dental applications fell in both 2012 and 2013, they had increased by 15.6% to 3,410 in 2014, above 2010 levels. Females formed the majority of applicants, and admissions, with the proportion gaining admission to dentistry in 2014 reaching an all-time high (64%), exceeding medicine (56%), and university in general (56%). Mature admissions to dentistry were at their highest in 2010 (29%) falling to 21% in 2014, compared with 22-24% in medicine. Black and minority ethnic group admissions to university, although rising (24% in 2014), are still less than for medicine (34%) and dentistry (48%). In 2013, just over half of the students admitted to dentistry were from BME groups (51%) for dentistry. Among UK applicants <19 years, over 60% of applicants, and 70% of accepted applicants, to medicine and dentistry are from the top two POLAR2 quintiles representing areas of high participation in education; however, in 2014 there was a notable increase in the proportion of applications from the lower two quintiles to dentistry (19%) and medicine (20%), with a very modest increase in those gaining admission over 2012 (14% of both; cf 10% and 12% respectively).Discussion The findings suggest that the short-term impact of the 2012 rise in fees had a greater influence on the volume and nature of applicants to dentistry than medicine, and that both programmes are gaining in popularity, despite high fees and reduced places. Dentistry remains particularly attractive to Asians, and females, the latter forming an increasing majority of students. While there is some recovery, social inequalities exist and present a challenge for widening participation in the professions.
Dentists in the United Kingdom have a wide range of career choices available, with opportunities in primary care, community/salaried/public dental services, hospital and academia. This luxury of choice is often touted as desirable but is the multitude of career pathways, in combination with frequently changing recruitment processes, structures and systems, a source of confusion? If you’re at the start of your career (or could do with an update), read on for a straightforward explanation of the dizzying world of dental careers.
BackgroundEffective communication is recognised as a cornerstone of good medical practice and is key to maintaining patient safety. Poor communication is often highlighted as a factor in medical errors. Despite structured communication tools (e.g. SBAR) and guidelines to encourage collaborative working between middle grade trainees (MGT) and on-call consultants (OCC) in many trusts, there is a paucity of information about this communication pathway and specifically which positive (bridges) and negative (barriers) factors play an influential role.AimsTo explore perceptions of MGT about contacting the OCC.To examine factors about MGT, consultants, hospital environment and working structure, which facilitate or obstruct communication.MethodsFollowing a pilot study, an anonymous on-line questionnaire was distributed to all MGT in a large deanery in 2015. Demographic data, experience regarding bridges and barriers to communication and clinical scenarios were collected in addition to free text comments.ResultsTo date 61 MGT have responded (25.2% response rate): 72% female, 80% UK-trained, 61% full-time. 56% reported having time out of training.When presented with 10 scenarios, all respondents would contact the OCC in the case of a child death, most for safeguarding and few in the case of failed practical procedures.When analysing the statements the strongest agreement was with “I feel able to ask for help when I need it”, “I find it easier to phone for advice when I know the consultant is in the hospital” and “effective communication with the OCC is harder if they have missed handover”.32 respondants (52%) reported experience of consultants being resident out of hours (OOH). Two-thirds agreed this provided increased learning opportunities, improved patient safety and experience.Themes identified as bridges included approachability, clear expectations and attending handover. Not knowing the patients and not being readily accessible acted as barriers to communication.ConclusionThis is the first study of its kind. The surveyed MGT were generally confident in their communication with OCC and identified bridges and barriers which may aid more effective communication pathways, improving patient safety and trainee job satisfaction. Consultant presence both at handover and OOH were highlighted as important.
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