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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/01/medical-schools-accused-of-stifling-protest-at-junior-doctors-contract
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| Medical schools accused of stifling protest against junior doctors contract | Medical schools accused of stifling protest against junior doctors contract |
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| Final year medical students have accused medical schools of attempting to silence protest over the new junior doctors contract, after receiving a letter advising them to be “professional” on social media. | Final year medical students have accused medical schools of attempting to silence protest over the new junior doctors contract, after receiving a letter advising them to be “professional” on social media. |
| Junior doctors have been in uproar over the proposed government contract, which they warn will present a risk to patient safety by lifting safeguards introduced to prevent them from working excessive hours. The British Medical Association described the contracts as unsafe and unfair, and this week decided to ballot its members on strike action. The contracts are set to affect 53,000 junior doctors as early as next year. | Junior doctors have been in uproar over the proposed government contract, which they warn will present a risk to patient safety by lifting safeguards introduced to prevent them from working excessive hours. The British Medical Association described the contracts as unsafe and unfair, and this week decided to ballot its members on strike action. The contracts are set to affect 53,000 junior doctors as early as next year. |
| On Thursday, the Medical Schools Council, representing British medical schools, admitted it had sent out a letter to 34 schools, after concerns that final year students could be taking part in protests that threatened to jeopardise their careers. It denied the letters were intimidatory and described the wording as regrettable. | On Thursday, the Medical Schools Council, representing British medical schools, admitted it had sent out a letter to 34 schools, after concerns that final year students could be taking part in protests that threatened to jeopardise their careers. It denied the letters were intimidatory and described the wording as regrettable. |
| Related: New junior doctors’ contracts are unfair, archaic and discriminate against women | Sarah el-Sheikha | Related: New junior doctors’ contracts are unfair, archaic and discriminate against women | Sarah el-Sheikha |
| Medical students, many of whom will leave universities with heavy debts, have been among those vociferously protesting against the new contracts. Final year students, who described the letters as intimidating, said they demonstrated a concern for reputation above producing conscientious doctors. | Medical students, many of whom will leave universities with heavy debts, have been among those vociferously protesting against the new contracts. Final year students, who described the letters as intimidating, said they demonstrated a concern for reputation above producing conscientious doctors. |
| One final year student, from the south of England, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Every medical student is familiar with the threatening undertone associated with professionalism. It’s a tone that suggests one must have an almost corporate loyalty, as opposed to patients’ best interests, at heart.” | One final year student, from the south of England, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Every medical student is familiar with the threatening undertone associated with professionalism. It’s a tone that suggests one must have an almost corporate loyalty, as opposed to patients’ best interests, at heart.” |
| The student continued: “This email says more about medical schools’ concern for reputation, and the desire to look polished, than producing conscientious doctors. I happen to believe that the role of doctor includes being an advocate, at a patient and population level. Knowing what is best for patient safety is not an academic exercise, it needs to be practiced clinically and fought for when threatened. | The student continued: “This email says more about medical schools’ concern for reputation, and the desire to look polished, than producing conscientious doctors. I happen to believe that the role of doctor includes being an advocate, at a patient and population level. Knowing what is best for patient safety is not an academic exercise, it needs to be practiced clinically and fought for when threatened. |
| “Doctors and medical students think this too, and hence the need to take action. There are many healthcare petitions and campaigns that doctors and medical students share on social media that are not deemed unprofessional. I don’t see how this differs.” | “Doctors and medical students think this too, and hence the need to take action. There are many healthcare petitions and campaigns that doctors and medical students share on social media that are not deemed unprofessional. I don’t see how this differs.” |
| Another final year student, who did not want to be named or to give the name of their institution, said: “The subtle tone of these emails reinforces the fear medical students have about raising concerns about issues that affect us. The risk of being branded ‘unprofessional’ leaves us unable to raise concerns, even when speaking out is in the best interests of our patients; the most important professional duty.” | Another final year student, who did not want to be named or to give the name of their institution, said: “The subtle tone of these emails reinforces the fear medical students have about raising concerns about issues that affect us. The risk of being branded ‘unprofessional’ leaves us unable to raise concerns, even when speaking out is in the best interests of our patients; the most important professional duty.” |
| The student said that the term “medical professionalism” was used by medical schools “to enforce a culture of sit down, be seen and not heard”. One email, sent out to final year students at St George’s, University of London read: “The medical school is aware of the discussions taking place regarding the junior doctors’ contract. Representation is being made by a wide range of national and professional organisations and Royal Colleges. | The student said that the term “medical professionalism” was used by medical schools “to enforce a culture of sit down, be seen and not heard”. One email, sent out to final year students at St George’s, University of London read: “The medical school is aware of the discussions taking place regarding the junior doctors’ contract. Representation is being made by a wide range of national and professional organisations and Royal Colleges. |
| “The priority for medical students is to get on with your studies and pass the assessments. A medical degree carries with it many opportunities. It would be unwise to put this at risk. Whatever the present difficulties, the public continues to respect work carried out by doctors. Once qualified you will be in a strong position to contribute to the enhancement of the role of doctors in the NHS and to do so in a manner that benefits patients.” | “The priority for medical students is to get on with your studies and pass the assessments. A medical degree carries with it many opportunities. It would be unwise to put this at risk. Whatever the present difficulties, the public continues to respect work carried out by doctors. Once qualified you will be in a strong position to contribute to the enhancement of the role of doctors in the NHS and to do so in a manner that benefits patients.” |
| Another email in a similar vein, sent by a different school, includes the line: “In particular, at this time, we advise you to adopt a professional attitude in your engagement with social media.” | Another email in a similar vein, sent by a different school, includes the line: “In particular, at this time, we advise you to adopt a professional attitude in your engagement with social media.” |
| The emails were shared on social media by medical professionals, including Ben Goldacre, the former Guardian Bad Science columnist, who is a doctor. | The emails were shared on social media by medical professionals, including Ben Goldacre, the former Guardian Bad Science columnist, who is a doctor. |
| Wow, different medical school, almost identical language. It’s.. coordinated intimidation? https://t.co/bUMf8i77ev pic.twitter.com/tm2a3qUimx | Wow, different medical school, almost identical language. It’s.. coordinated intimidation? https://t.co/bUMf8i77ev pic.twitter.com/tm2a3qUimx |
| A spokesman for the MSC said a letter had been sent out after one school raised concerns that a petition circulating among students was urging them not to sign up to the foundation programme in protest at the contract. Signing up to the programme is essential if they are to practice in Britain. He denied suggestions that it was intended to intimidate students from protesting about the junior doctors contracts dispute. | |
| “It probably was poorly worded, but there was no intention to intimidate people or not allow them to protest,” the spokesman said. “It’s regrettable that it has been taken the wrong way. We should have thought about it more.” | “It probably was poorly worded, but there was no intention to intimidate people or not allow them to protest,” the spokesman said. “It’s regrettable that it has been taken the wrong way. We should have thought about it more.” |
| He said that while the MSC and medical schools were “not taking a position on the dispute”, they were concerned that students would not apply to the foundation programme. “It spooked staff, that the students might be putting their careers in danger,” he said. | He said that while the MSC and medical schools were “not taking a position on the dispute”, they were concerned that students would not apply to the foundation programme. “It spooked staff, that the students might be putting their careers in danger,” he said. |
| Medical schools at St George’s and Bristol University were among those who sent the emails. Prof Peter Kopelman, principal of St George’s, said: “We respect the right of students to voice their views on this and any other matter. Our final year medical students have understandably raised questions about a proposed new contract for doctors in training. | Medical schools at St George’s and Bristol University were among those who sent the emails. Prof Peter Kopelman, principal of St George’s, said: “We respect the right of students to voice their views on this and any other matter. Our final year medical students have understandably raised questions about a proposed new contract for doctors in training. |
| “Our letter, sent in response to these questions, was specific to St George’s and reflected common concerns expressed through the Medical Schools Council. The letter gave students guidance on their role as final year students and offered them individual support by request.” | “Our letter, sent in response to these questions, was specific to St George’s and reflected common concerns expressed through the Medical Schools Council. The letter gave students guidance on their role as final year students and offered them individual support by request.” |
| A spokesman for the University of Bristol said: “The University of Bristol’s Medical School contacted its medical students to make them aware of discussions taking place regarding the junior doctors contract. The correspondence does not advise them not to engage in protests. However, it asks that if they do wish to take part in protests, they are mindful of the potential this might have to disrupt their studies.” | A spokesman for the University of Bristol said: “The University of Bristol’s Medical School contacted its medical students to make them aware of discussions taking place regarding the junior doctors contract. The correspondence does not advise them not to engage in protests. However, it asks that if they do wish to take part in protests, they are mindful of the potential this might have to disrupt their studies.” |