CDU Annual Report 2004-5

Introduction

The unit was set up in 2004 to provide a resource for the career development of doctors and dentists within the Oxford Deanery at any stage during their career.

Summary

The Career Development Unit has spent the first year training coaches and developing career guidance and performance coaching for individual doctors in difficulty. There were 35 referrals, of which 5 resolved with written advice and guidance. The remaining 30 referrals were evenly split between those requiring career guidance and those requiring performance coaching, with 75% of all referrals relating to doctors in training grades.

Common themes from these referrals identified a need for high quality career information, and also clear guidance for trainers and employers trying to help a trainee in difficulty. Therefore the CDU website and a  booklet,  Helping the Trainee in Difficulty, were launched in autumn 2005. Both contain Deanery policy and specific guidance for trainers and employers and the website will also be developed to provide a comprehensive source of career information.

Recently the Career Development Unit has been asked to provide a Career Management Service for the Foundation School and the CDU has collaborated with the Medical School to develop a strategy to deliver this in 2006.

The CDU Services

1. Information and resources

• A CDU website accessed via the Deanery website.  This is the CDU shopfront and main point of contact with doctors in difficulty and others wishing to support them. It provides:
• information, support and guidance anonymously for all users
• signposting to other sources of help and support
• a filter so that doctors seeking individual help will have already had standard career information and advice.
• a filter so that trainers and employers only refer a doctor to the CDU after all other appropriate steps have been taken.

2.  A Career Management Service for the Foundation school and senior medical students.

• An annual Medical Careers Conference - Oxford Medical School/ Foundation School
• Career management workshops integrated into the Medical School/ Foundation curriculum
• One-to-one career interviews for all Year 5 medical students.
• Oxford College tutors, Foundation program directors and other educational supervisors to be trained to give Career Advice.
• Access to comprehensive national and local information about every medical specialty  through the CDU website.

3.  Individual career development coaching
The CDU has a team of trained coaches who represent a variety of medical and dental specialties.They provide:

• career Guidance for those with a career dilemma.
• a service for doctors/dentists with performance difficulties
• The CDU coach works with trainers and employers to:
• Analyse and diagnose development needs using:
• In-depth interviews
• Myers Briggs personality typing and FIRO-B
• Information from appraisals including multisource feedback
• Plan targeted or remedial training using a negotiated PDP
• Supervise any remedial training, coaching or work shadowing
• Help provide a progress report of achievement against the stated objectives
• The service is provided free for doctors and dentists in training but employers are asked to cover CDU costs for established doctors and dentists.

4. Supervision and support for trainers.

• Deanery booklet, Helping the Trainee in Difficulty, containing:
• Deanery policy
• Management checklist for trainers
• Management of health problems
• Other educational resources
• Helping the Trainee in Difficulty workshops
• Integrated into the Deanery Senior Trainers Course.
• Held at each Deanery Postgraduate Centre
• Career advice training for educational supervisors /trainers
• Supervision for targeted or remedial training by CDU coach.

5. An Advisory Service for trainers, mentors, and employers wishing to support a doctor/dentist or who may have concerns about their performance.

• Management checklists, governance advice and downloadable assessment tools appropriate for every stage of a doctor's career available on website.
• Individual case supervision and informal confidential advice.

Achievements 2004-2005

• CDU website established spring 2006 with ongoing development.
• Career Management Service for Foundation School -
• Strategy developed with the Medical School in line with MMC Career Management Guidelines.
• Career Conference and Career Management Workshops planned for 2006 in conjunction with the Oxford Medical School and MMC Committee.
• Career Advice Training  - 6 educational supervisors trained.
• Individual career development coaching 2004-2005
• 5 CDU coaches recruited and  trained.
•  35 referrals, of which 5 were resolved with advice.
• Career Guidance provided for 3 established doctors and 11 trainees
• Performance Coaching provided for 5 established doctors and 11 trainees
• Remedial Supervision provided for 2 established doctors and 7 trainees.
• Support for trainers - Helping the Trainee in Difficulty
• Booklet produced September 2005
• Workshops  - 4 completed and 3 planned.
• Advisory service
• Written advice and guidance provided for 5 employing Trusts and 7 trainers or STC chairs.
• CDU representation on 2 PCT Performance Committees.