Working in medicine is usually rewarding but at times can prove challenging.
Any doctor, in any specialty, can have times when they need support professionally or personally due to a difficulty.
Workplace based stress not only has a detrimental effect on doctors’ wellbeing but also on their ability to practice to their full potential. Doctors under such stress may begin to practice defensively including overprescribing, referring too many patients, over investigation, not taking on complicated patients or avoiding certain procedures or more difficult cases.
This is potentially harmful to patients, as well as to the doctors themselves.
Adverse events
In the UK, most women have good outcomes and report a positive experience of care, but maternity care can be complex and, unfortunately, distressing and harmful outcomes do occur. Every death or injury of a mother or baby is a tragedy.
Doctors may find themselves caring for a patient who is seriously harmed or dies unexpectedly; this can be incredibly hard at any time of your working life. Sometimes this may be due to a recognised complication or to an error.
Responding to patient safety concerns and investigations
Dealing with complaints, coroner reports and inquests, or patient safety investigations can be very challenging, and it often feels personal. Feelings of failure, loss of identity and social shame are also common in this situation. Clinical issues and/or professional issues may lead to GMC referral.
Burnout
O&G services are under extreme pressures. The RCOG Workforce Census 2025 highlighted that workload pressure, working outside paid hours and insufficient training time are all taking a toll on the O&G specialty.
A fifth (19%) of respondents were categorised as at high risk of burnout, 46% at moderate risk, and 35% at low risk. High risk was most common among LEDs (29%) and trainees (23%).
Do you need support?
It is normal to need support when events such as these occur.
Peer Supporters offer UK members a confidential listening space, impartial advice, and support on challenges you may be facing.
The hub signposts key contacts and resources if you are dealing with complaints and investigations or have experienced a traumatic event at work.
Any doctor who is required to write a formal statement for a risk review, Serious Adverse Events (SAE) report or who is referred to the GMC must inform their defence union for advice and have any statement read over by their defence union advisor prior to submission.
Other sources of support:
- Contact your Educational Supervisor, Training Programme Director, or Clinical Director
- Many hospitals and deaneries have excellent local peer support or professional support units
- Access local occupational health/staff counselling
- Discuss the emotional and psychological impact of work during Schwartz or Balint rounds, if available in your hospital/region
- It is often helpful to see your own GP especially if you are experiencing physical, emotional and sleep related issues
- Contact your BMA representative
- Visit the GMC website for guidance
Find out more
Explore other College reports and resources related to maternity safety and the workforce.