Published in the International Journal of Medical Education, Goodyear’s research study explores factors affecting newly qualified doctors’ well-being and implications for educational provision. The findings indicate that they start work feeling unprepared by medical school, work experience (“shadowing”) or orientation programs. Senior colleague support and feedback are valued but lacking with little discussion of critical incidents and difficult issues. Challenges identified include sick patients, prescribing, patient/relative communication, working shift patterns and inconsistent team structure. Enjoyment and reward come from helping patients, feelings of making a difference and teaching medical students. The qualitative findings illustrate physicians’ search for identity and building of resilience.