The IMT ‘Away Day’ 2023

The NHS is facing unprecedented pressures around demand and capacity. Core to this is the NHS workforce which is experiencing unparalleled recruitment and retention problems. There is a plethora of reasons underlying this unrest, but chief amongst them are wellbeing and morale which are key areas on which to concentrate development1. UK junior doctors experience high levels of work stress which is leading to burnout and a workforce retention crisis. Whilst a certain level of stress is largely unavoidable given the nature of the job, a supportive environment can be provided to manage these stressors and allow mutual support2. The Associate College Tutor (ACT) and College Tutor (CT) team at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (RDUH) conceived the concept and designed an ‘Away Day’ for their Internal Medical Trainees (IMTs) to address this, allowing dedicated offsite time for coming together the creation of lasting work relationships, trust and flattened hierarchy. This allowed open conversations and shared experiences to aid better collegiate understanding and working. This was a whole day event which occurred off the hospital site 19 July 2023. IMTs and speakers had been given advance warning of the date to allow study leave to be booked. This event was fully supported by the RDUH Postgraduate Medical Education Department. Sessions focused on wellbeing, sleep, diet, mental health, quality improvement and professional learning. Each IMT year group had a focused feedback meeting with their College Tutor. 20 RDUH IMTs attended (this was a mixture of IMT1s, IMT2s and IMT3s). A post-event survey (n=15) revealed 86% had their wellbeing needs met, 86% reported improved morale and 100% had the opportunity to receive CT support. Trainees rated the day as 4.5/5 (1= poor, 5= excellent). 100% requested an IMT ‘Away Day’ 2024. Qualitative analysis identified positive themes such as ‘value’ and ‘morale’ as well as ‘job satisfaction’. Comments included ‘this is so important to morale, mental health and satisfaction at work’, ‘makes us feel valued as IMTs’, ‘so valuable to our training and our sense of worth’, ‘felt listened to during feedback sessions, safe and open space’ and ‘it builds relationships within the IMT group which will be helpful for work’. Overall, the feedback received was very positive and demonstrated that this ‘Away Day’ was helpful for the morale and wellbeing for the vast majority of IMTs that attended. IMT can be challenging and stressful. This successful and popular ‘Away Day’ had a valuable impact upon IMTs and enabled them to have a safe space in which to voice concerns and receive support without the impact of clinical pressures whilst learning. Given the current difficult and turbulent NHS climate, it is imperative that we provide our trainees with supported environments for their wellbeing and morale. Following the positive feedback received, the RDUH is now organising an ‘Away Day’ for IMTs July 2024; this is planned to be an annual event.