A Rapid-Review on the Barriers & Facilitators Early Career Doctors Face When Developing Academic Research Skills

Abstract

Many early-career doctors struggle to engage in research due to limited time, skills, mentorship, funding, and unclear pathways, despite strong perceived value of academic work
and teaching; women disproportionately report barriers such as insufficient flexibility, lack of role models, and mentoring gaps.

A growing group of pre-CCT (pre-Certificate of Completion of Training) doctors transition into full-time medical education, citing better work-life balance and meaningful scholarly
development but facing stigma, unclear routes, and fewer opportunities than post-CCT (post-Certificate of Completion of Training) peers.