Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

• Reduced hours of work. This can enable doctors and dentists to continue their training in circumstances where full-time training would have placed undue pressure on them resulting in resignation from work or moving into non-training posts with limited opportunities.


• LTFT training placements may provide fixed weekly sessions and on-call allowing easy forward planning.


• A major advantage is that studies of both hospital doctors and General Practitioners show that part-timers are happier and more enthusiastic than their full-time colleagues.


• Can return to full-time training at any stage providing sufficient notice is given before all the full-time posts are filled

Disadvantages

• LTFT trainees work fewer hours than full-timers and therefore receive a lower wage.


• It can be difficult for LTFT trainees to balance the pressures between a career and other responsibilities.


• Arranging LTFT placements can demand time and effort from programme directors and all those concerned.


• It takes longer, eg for a LTFT trainee working 60% then the trainee will need to work 10 months to achieve a 6 month full-time equivalent.