Postgraduate Doctors in Training as Clinical Supervisors for Foundation Year Two Doctors: Evaluation of a Pilot Can Registrars supervise FY2s?

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Published: Apr 1, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5750/jmer.v5i1.2523
Keywords:
medical education supervision training workforce planning clinical supervision

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Hugo Cohen
NHS England Southwest, Floor 2, North Wing, 100 Temple Street, Bristol BS1 6AG and Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9528-367X
Emmanuel Hakem
NHS England Southwest, Floor 2, North Wing, 100 Temple Street, Bristol BS1 6AG, UK
Cara Swain
Academic Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK and Department of Learning, Informatics, Management & Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Chloe Vandertripp
NHS England Southwest, Floor 2, North Wing, 100 Temple Street, Bristol BS1 6AG and Department of General Practice, Postgraduate Medical Centre, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
Sarah Rafferty
NHS England Southeast, York House, 18-20 Massetts Road, Horley, RH6 7DE, UK
Jane Thurlow
NHS England Southwest, Floor 2, North Wing, 100 Temple Street, Bristol BS1 6AG, UK

Abstract

Introduction: There are challenges associated with the availability of Educational and named Clinical Supervisors (CS) for Postgraduate Doctors in Training (PGDiTs). This is likely to increase with NHS England’s (re)distribution and expansion of Training Programmes. Although supervision responsibility is common for Consultants and SAS (specialist, associate specialist) Doctors, PGDiTs are not afforded the opportunity of experience and practice. This pilot is part of a strategy to widen the pool of available future supervisors.
Methods: Selected PGDiTs with appropriate training were matched to act as CS to FY2 Doctors in the December 2023 to April 2024 rotation across 3 trusts in the Southwest. Evaluation of the pilot involved: emailed questions, online surveys and structured WhatsApp Voice Note Interviews with thematic analysis.
Results: 91% of FY2s and 100% of PGDiT CS would recommend taking part in this programme to colleagues. Thematic analysis demonstrated that FY2s valued the closer mentoring presence that the PGDiT CS provided and preferred this dual supervision to the traditional model. Registrars reported professional and personal development, including specific supervision skills that positively influenced their preparedness to take on supervision in the future.
Conclusion: There is minimal risk to FY2s of taking part in such a programme. For the PGDiT CSs there are many benefits to taking part and not only does it better prepare them for conducting supervision but they may take on these responsibilities earlier which will expand supervisory capacity. These results have supported the integration of this programme within the Foundation Training Programme in England.

Article Details

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Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025)
Section
Articles
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