Description:
<jats:sec><jats:title>Objectives</jats:title><jats:p>To explore and compare the perspectives of junior doctors in Brazil and Ireland regarding transition and professional socialisation during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the purpose of identifying better ways to support doctors as they assume their new professional role.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Design</jats:title><jats:p>27 semistructured interviews. Transcripts were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Cruess’ framework of professional socialisation in medicine supported the interpretation of these data.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Setting</jats:title><jats:p>Public health hospitals across four Brazilian states (Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Ceará, Paraíba) and County Cork in the South of Ireland.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Participants</jats:title><jats:p>Twenty-seven male and female medical junior doctors who had graduated between November 2019 and April 2020.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Fourteen Brazilian and 13 Irish junior doctors were interviewed for this study. Entry to clinical practice during the pandemic had a significant impact on factors influencing the professional socialisation of junior doctors. This impact was reflected across the following six thematic areas: lack of preparedness; disrupted trajectory of role adaptation; fewer opportunities for experiential learning; solidarity and isolation; altered interactions with patients; challenges to health and well-being.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Transition to clinical practice is an important stage in junior doctors’ professional socialisation and identity formation. The COVID-19 pandemic created the opportunity for medical graduates to enter the workforce earlier than usual. Entering the workforce during this period created a lack of confidence among junior doctors concerning the boundaries of their new role and responsibilities, while simultaneously disrupting their social integration. Priorities to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and future pandemics on this transition are presented.</jats:p></jats:sec>