Junior
Doctors
The MWF has much to offer Junior Doctors. In early 2011 MWF Junior Doctor
Member Anna Willcock wrote this article about what role MWF has played for
her. This article originally featured in New Doctor magazine (Vol 4, issue
1, 2011) http://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/new-doctor/march-2011
From ward to world: Getting involved with the MWF
Anna
Willcock describes the work of the Medical Women's Federation and how it
enabled her to find her feet as a new doctor
It exists to promote the development of women in medicine
and to improve the health of women and their families in wider society.
Internationally, the MWF seeks to raise the profile of women's health issues
and help those who are victims of war, cruelty and mutilation.
Currently,
the MWF campaigns for good part-time work schemes, flexible
retirement, the provision of mentoring for young women, and the
representation of women in leadership positions, such as those in the
Royal Colleges or medical schools. It also strives to increase the representation
of women within academic medicine - only 13% of medical professors
are female. Last year the MWF played a large role in publicising the
document
reporting the gender pay gap within the NHS.
I
joined the MWF as a second year student after a chance meeting with a founding
member. I have reaped the rewards of doing so ever since.
There are benefits to members at all levels of training, but for students
and junior doctors in particular the ethos of mentoring and support makes
the MWF an exceptional resource.
As
a medical student there are opportunities for grants, elective bursaries
and prizes. Travel expenses to national meetings are supplemented, giving
cash-strapped students the chance to attend. The meetings offer a chance
to catch up on important news, to network and get reinvigorated by the issues
affecting women doctors. There are workshops run at these meetings, which
offer targeted help for attendees - examples of previous sessions include
"How to get published" and "Guide to clinical excellence
awards". Members are encouraged to present at this national forum,
as well as write for the journal, which is issued three times a year. In
addition, there are 13 regional groups that meet more regularly.
As a junior doctor you can benefit because the MWF offers a wealth of professional
advice regarding specialist training and career choice planning. It also
supports women who balance a family with a busy work life by offering guidance
on maternity leave and childcare arrangements. Anyone
who would like to attend a meeting, to learn more, or to join this thriving
organisation can visit: www.medicalwomensfederation.org. You will be richly
rewarded.
Elizabeth
Garrett Anderson Prize
MWF always invites abstract submissions at our conferences and we particularly
encourage entries from students and junior doctors. If your abstract is
accepted for presentation this is a great thing to put on your CV. Also,
MWF awards the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson prize for the best presentation
at each conference, which is a small financial award as well as something
prestigious for your CV. Click here
for more information about our latest meeting and consider submitting an
abstract!>>.
Foundation for Excellence: An Evaluation of the Foundation
Programme
In October 2010 Professor John Collins published a
report on Foundation Doctors. To read a copy please click here:
www.mee.nhs.uk/pdf/401339_MEE_FoundationExcellence_acc.pdf
Maternity Leave
Click here for info on
maternity leave for junior doctors>>.
Know your contract know your rights
The BMA ran a really useful campaign for junior doctors
called 'Know your contract know your rights'. Lots
of useful information is available here>>
Code of Practice for Junior Doctors
The BMA have negotiated to ensure that there is now a Code of Practice for
junior doctors that lays out the agreed set of information that recruiting
organisations and employers should provide to doctors in training at each
stage of the recruitment process. Click
here to download a copy>>
Applying for ST1
Click
here to download the Top Ten Tips for how to apply for ST1 written by Dr
Clare Fernandes, ST1 Clinical Radiology, Dr Mohammed Ashraf CT1 Anaesthetics>>.
