While I fully accept that doctors will inevitably work longer shifts than most, in many countries caps have been placed on the number of hours doctors can work. This will vary from place to place. In some cases 16 hours is the maximum while in other 24hr shifts are acceptable. Within our systems we have no such caps. We work as long as it takes to get the job done and in the case of junior doctors, until seniors release them. I also think that while persons need to be given realistic expectations of what it means to be a doctor, we need to lobby as professionals to make conditions better to work in. There is no sense in continuing in a system because "this is how it has always been." A burnt out doctor cannot function at full capacity and the medical profession is notorious for high levels of burn out among workers. At the end of the day the patient suffers. And these statements are all backed by well researched studies (although to be honest this should be common sense). We owe it to ourselves and to our patients to do better. It starts with us identifying unreasonably long hours, and lack of an acceptable work life balance as real problems that threaten our ability to make the best decisions and deliver good patient care. If persons don't see the problem and just view it as the way things are, there will be no drive to find solutions. And I strongly believe there are solutions! So yes I agree sacrifice is necessary and definitely it isn't the glamour persons see on TV and young people must understand this before they get in to the field. However, if we are to practice evidence based medicine we must apply the evidence about ourselves to ourselves. As the old adage goes physician heal thyself.

jun·ior doc·tor
nounbritish
a qualified doctor practicing at any stage between graduation and completion of specialist postgraduate training.

And to think a simple google search could have cleared this up.for you and saved you the time and effort it.took you to write this ill informed piece. The only real eye opener here is how quickly people are to jump to judge young, hard working professionals over something as simple as a title which is used throughout the world. All this while avoiding the huge issues at hand. Nobody should have to work the kind of hours doctors do. On call is inhumane and outlawed in many developed countries. Worst yet to work for pennies. When I started internship I got one day off a month...let that sink in. Ask yourself in which world that could be fair or right...a young wife and mother. I worked 36+ hours straight twice a week. At least we are compensated for our bank holidays here. I am not from the Bahamas but I throw my support 100% behind these doctors. My only wish is that the doctors in my country had the guts to do something like this. And I know people will say that is what we signed up for but you shouldnt have to give up your entire life to save the lives of others!

You are either insane, completely misinformed or both. UWI trained doctors are some of the best there are. Our UK and US colleagues cannot compare to us when it comes to clinical skills or diagnostic ability. And this is well know. UWI trained doctors are practicing at the highest levels all over the world and the university is well known and respected in many academic institutions in the US, UK and beyond. The term junior doctor simply refers to young doctors who either are interns and have not entered into specialisation as yet or have just entered and are not at the levels of registrars and consultants. The assumption that all doctors want to work in the US or UK system is a foolish one. If they all did that who would you have to serve the Caribbean. People have their families and their lives here in the region. In addition US and UK exams are expensive. Not only that but given the ridiculous hours doctors are asked to work many do not have the extra time required to focus on studying for the boards. The US exam is structured very differently as is the entire education system. Everything isnt about money and the grass isn't always greener on the other side. You clearly have no idea what you are speaking of and I find your ill informed, condescending comments highly inaccurate and insulting. Long rubbish comment!

You are either insane, completely misinformed or both. UWI trained doctors are some of the best there are. Our UK and US colleagues cannot compare to us when it comes to clinical skills or diagnostic ability. And this is well know. UWI trained doctors are practicing at the highest levels all over the world and the university is well known and respected in many academic institutions in the US, UK and beyond. The term junior doctor simply refers to young doctors who either are interns and have not entered into specialisation as yet or have just entered and are not at the levels of registrars and consultants. The assumption that all doctors want to work in the US or UK system is a foolish one. If they all did that who would you have to serve the Caribbean. People have their families and their lives here in the region. In addition US and UK exams are expensive. Not only that but given the ridiculous hours doctors are asked to work many do not have the extra time required to focus on studying for the boards. The US exam is structured very differently as is the entire education system. Everything isnt about money and the grass isn't always greener on the other side. You clearly have no idea what you are speaking of and I find your ill informed, condescending comment highly inaccurate and insulting. Long rubbish comment!