Self-directed trainees:

Are doctors who chose to progress in training toward achieving the requirements of specialist registration in the UK, without going through the deanery-specific rotation-based system. They comprise doctors from different backgrounds, joining the NHS at varying stages of their professional development, but are all aiming to achieve the outcomes of their respective specialty-specific certification guidance as outlined by the corresponding royal colleges.

The Medical Association for Self-directed Training (MAST)

Is a not for profit independent body aiming to promote equality and diversity among doctors in the United Kingdom (particularly but not exclusively self-directed trainees), and enhance their professional development and wellbeing, within the setting of always improving patient care. This will be particularly but not exclusively achieved through providing advocacy, advice, training, and education as well performing relevant research.

MAST’s Aims and Objectives:

MAST aspires to be a true representative body of all self-directed trainees working in the UK across all specialties. Its work will entail:

1) Establishing pan-specialty networks (local, regional, and national) of all self-directed trainees leading to more effective communication, support, and guidance to this cohort of NHS doctors. The presence of doctors at various levels of training provides a wealth of experience to be able to highlight the challenges both generic and specialty specific.

2) Identifying, highlighting and tackling current and future challenges, both generic and specialty specific, that the self-directed trainees face. This can be at local, regional or national levels. This spans all aspects of professional progress, from training opportunities, to health and wellbeing, to communication with colleagues and trusts, among other things.

3) Providing guidance, advice and mentorship on issues of planning individual training processes, career progress, and achieving speciality registration. The inclusion of members at various levels of training offers members of the MAST community ample opportunities to benefit and reflect on the experiences of the more senior members, who gained the ability to gauge the self-directed training process for the more juniormembers of the community.

4) Promoting fairness and equality for all self-directed trainees at all work places, and ensuring that the career choices they adopt do not put them at a disadvantage in respect to deanery-based trainees.

5) Supporting the continued medical education and maintain the knowledge and skill standards required to provide the best care for the patients. This could be done in conjunction with local trust teaching activities, respective royal colleges, or separately through the teaching outlets of MAST.

6) Ensuring that self-directed trainees achieving specialist registration are not facing discrimination based on their training routes, and that they have unprejudiced access to consultant selection processes.

7) Working with the GMC (General Medical Council) for the removal of the unjust two certificates system (CESR and CCST). Aiming to give all trainees (Deanery based or Self-directed) single qualification (CCST) as long as they satisfy the GMC high standards of training.

MAST’s Frameworks and Methods of Action:

MAST will aim to accomplish its objectives through:

1) Creating a safe and non-judgmental platform for self-directed trainees to raise their concerns, ask for advice and support, and voice their suggestions.

2) Engaging with local trusts at medical and management levels

3) Engaging with the GMC, BMA, and royal colleges on issues of specialist registration, recognition of self-directed training, and access to consultant appointments.

4) Working independently through its educational portals, and alongside the local trusts and deaneries, the BMA, the royal colleges and other relevant bodies to provide adequate teaching opportunities to self- directed trainees.

5) Providing mentorship and advocacy to its members.

6) Providing teaching and training materials and courses (directly or through a third party)

7) Establish a virtual presence through the website and social media platforms to raise awareness, promote membership, and promote MAST goals

8) Setup and run and publish a Hospital and department review list to evaluate and rate how said hospitals treat self-directed trainees in respect to their deanery-based counterpart. (e.g training opportunities, work load, career progression opportunities, support and work based satisfaction)

7) Approach clinical leadership frames including clinical leads and clinical supervisors of self-directed trainees who raise concerns regarding unfair practices at work.