Why do things always get harder for the next generation of doctors?

I've been a doctor for ... years now and a consultant for <... years. In that time, the amount of admin, paperwork, assessments and stability has changed dramatically for juniors and seniors.

As a house officer, I was contracted an average of 72 hours a week. Sleep was protected in part. The number of patients to look after went up and down but it was easier to process and I had my team to rely on, regularly. Some jobs could wait as I was on site 16 hours some days.

As a JR/Senior SHO, the hours were 50 a week but I had less time to do more work. I had the added complication of getting assessments done in time for reviews which were previously just a chat with a consultant. Now it was a panel review every year.

As a registrar, I had a textbook to read (4 volumes) and procedures/cases to learn. A few other bits and bobs and a few assessments and one exam. Now, the trainees need annual surveys, audits, research, teaching observations, multi consultant reports and reflections.

And I still hear from certain older colleagues how easy it is for juniors now and how hard it was in their day. How younger doctors now know half the things they did at their age. Not all colleagues. But I still hear it.

For some individuals, it may be true. There are some geniuses out there who will always tower above the rest. They will always be good but this is not generational. For others (myself included) we can't hold a candle to the new doctors coming through.

For any juniors that get this kind of "it was harder/we were better in our day" comment, ask that individual,

"How did your seniors compare your generation when you were starting out?"

It might make them reflect on their own ideas. Say it will help them with appraisal.