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

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.