Edirisooriya Monisha, Silkens Milou, Medisauskaite Asta
Research Department of Medical Education, University College London, Gower Street, London, England, WC1E 6BT.
Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (Room J6-35), Erasmus University, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Hum Resour Health. 2025 Aug 28;23(1):49. doi: 10.1186/s12960-025-01008-0.
While an intensifying workforce crisis and industrial action across the United Kingdom (UK) healthcare system has shed light on financial strains medics in the UK may face, there remains a lack of evidence on how various groups among an increasingly diversifying profession may be affected. This study explored experiences of financial difficulties and help-seeking behaviours across different demographic groups of medics.
The demographic characteristics, financial worries and difficulties, and help-seeking behaviours of 442 medical students and doctors in the UK were surveyed. Inferential statistics and regression analyses were undertaken in SPSS. Qualitative responses regarding improving help-seeking underwent content analysis.
Over 80% of participants reported ever worrying about their finances. One-third had ever experienced financial difficulty. Of these, there were a higher percentage of medics with a disability (53.4%) than without a disability (30.4%); and with caring roles (47.2%) compared to those without (30.4%). LGBTQ + participants were 3.5 times more likely to have ever worried about their financial situation compared to those identifying as heterosexual. Those with a non-UK Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) were twice as likely to experience financial difficulty compared to UK-PMQ respondents. Education and workplace sources of financial help were more likely to be sought by those without a disability, those with a UK-PMQ, participants in the ≤ 25 age bracket and students in comparison to doctors. Participants with a non-UK PMQ, participants aged 36-45 years, and doctors were more likely to seek external support. The most common responses to improving early help-seeking stemmed around improving understanding of the available support, and reducing stigma.
Experiences of financial insecurity among medics are extremely common. Our study has highlighted that LGBTQ + medics and those with a non-UK PMQ may be particularly vulnerable to financial problems as well as those with a disability or caring role. Education and workplace mechanisms of financial support may be underutilised by medics with disabilities, those with a non-UK PMQ, and those in postgraduate settings more broadly. Institutions should seek to improve awareness and accessibility of financial support.
尽管英国医疗系统中日益加剧的劳动力危机和行业行动揭示了英国医务人员可能面临的财务压力，但对于这个日益多元化的职业中不同群体可能受到何种影响，仍然缺乏证据。本研究探讨了不同人口统计学群体的医务人员在财务困难和寻求帮助行为方面的经历。
对英国442名医学生和医生的人口统计学特征、财务担忧和困难以及寻求帮助的行为进行了调查。在SPSS中进行了推断统计和回归分析。对关于改善寻求帮助的定性回答进行了内容分析。
超过80%的参与者报告曾担心自己的财务状况。三分之一的人曾经历过财务困难。其中，残疾医务人员（53.4%）经历财务困难的比例高于非残疾医务人员（30.4%）；有护理职责的医务人员（47.2%）高于没有护理职责的医务人员（30.4%）。与认同为异性恋的参与者相比，LGBTQ+参与者担心自己财务状况的可能性高出3.5倍。拥有非英国初级医学资格（PMQ）的人经历财务困难的可能性是拥有英国PMQ受访者的两倍。与医生相比，非残疾人员、拥有英国PMQ的人员、年龄在25岁及以下的参与者和学生更有可能寻求教育和工作场所的财务帮助。拥有非英国PMQ的参与者、年龄在36 - 45岁的参与者和医生更有可能寻求外部支持。关于改善早期寻求帮助的最常见回答主要围绕提高对现有支持的理解以及减少耻辱感。
医务人员中财务不安全的经历极为普遍。我们的研究强调，LGBTQ+医务人员、拥有非英国PMQ的人员以及残疾或有护理职责的人员可能特别容易受到财务问题的影响。残疾医务人员、拥有非英国PMQ的人员以及更广泛的研究生阶段人员可能未充分利用教育和工作场所的财务支持机制。机构应努力提高对财务支持的认识和可及性。
