Evaluation of a pilot careers advice service for junior doctors

This study evaluates a pilot careers service for junior doctors provided by a non-medical careers adviser. Evaluation forms and interviews indicate high satisfaction with this service. The junior doctors valued help with CVs and interviews, information regarding career routes and meetings with senior doctors arranged by the adviser. A longitudinal survey suggests that these doctors became clearer about their career pathways compared with controls, although they did not view the adviser as influencing their career choices. The employment of non-medical careers advisers is proposed. The evaluation was principally conducted by the Centre for Research in Medical and Dental Education, School of Education, University of Birmingham, UK.