Table 1 Terminology

Consultant

Doctors who have completed all of their undergraduate and postgraduate training (initial and higher specialist training) and have obtained a CSCST (certificate of satisfactory completion of specialist training) which enables them to register on the Specialist Register.

Intern

Doctors who have completed their basic medical degree and must complete 12 months training in an approved public hospital.

Irish Medical Organisation (IMO)

The national professional organisation representing medical doctors

Non Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) or Junior Hospital Doctor

Doctors who have completed their basic medical degree and their intern year and now work in a hospital. Some NCHDs are also undertaking postgraduate training (initial or higher specialist training). Those who work as NCHDs but are not involved in formal postgraduate training are said to occupy ‘service posts’. Senior House Officers (SHOs), Registrars and Specialist Registrars are considered NCHDs or junior hospital doctors.

Non-EU migrant doctor

For the purpose of this study, the term non-EU migrant doctor refers to those who trained in non-EU countries and also those doctors from non-EU countries who trained in Ireland and remained to work in the Irish health system.

Specialist Registrars (SpRs)

Doctors who have completed their basic medical degree, their intern year and their postgraduate training (initial and higher specialist training). Specialist Registrars are working towards their CSCST (certificate of satisfactory completion of specialist training) in order to compete for a consultant post.