Exploring the experiences and expectations of trainee representatives in medical specialties: A qualitative study in the West Midlands, UK

Introduction: Despite its importance, there is a paucity of evidence describing the role and responsibilities of trainee representatives. Aim: This study explored key stakeholders' experiences and expectations of the trainee representative role. Method: All eligible individuals in the West Midlands Deanery's School of Medicine were invited to participate in an interview exploring their experiences and expectations of the trainee representative role. Recurring themes were identified through thematic analysis using NVivo12 software. Results: Five themes—Support for trainee representatives, Deanery events for trainee representatives, Roles and responsibilities of trainee representatives, Representation and recruitment, and Benefits of being a trainee representative—were identified. Formalising appointments to such roles and providing induction and information on key responsibilities were highlighted as steps to minimise the gap. Conclusion: Trainee representative positions allow trainees to explore leadership roles; however, further work is needed to improve the resources to support the professional development of trainee representatives.