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Resident doctor workforce wellbeing worldwide: Lessons between the UK and Australia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Healthcare systems fundamentally depend on the wellbeing and sustainability of their workforce. Physician burnout, workload strain and declining professional fulfilment are widely documented across high-income health systems. The UK and Australia share similar professional cultures and training pathways, but operate within distinct health system structures. Comparing these systems provides insight into the structural determinants of resident doctor wellbeing. Both countries face common challenges, including rising demand for care, domestic workforce shortages, and changing expectations of work-life balance. Data from both countries demonstrate persistently high levels of moral distress and intention to leave practice, alongside structural pressures including industrial action, training bottlenecks and changing workforce composition. Evidence on suicide risk further underscores the seriousness of workforce wellbeing as a public health issue. These shared outcomes highlight that structural differences do not protect resident doctors from distress. System-level reform and cultural change are essential to safeguard workforce wellbeing and health system sustainability.

Source: Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.1016/j.clinme.2026.100614

Authors: Neeraj B. Bhala, Emily C. Taylor, Andrew F. Goddard, Ajay M. Verma

Institutions: The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering General Hospital, Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,500