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- Page navigation anchor for Why audits fail? Don’t just blame the junior doctorsWhy audits fail? Don’t just blame the junior doctorsI commend Glew et al for postulating reasons why trainees preferentially select easier audit projects to complete their portfolio requirement.1 However, their editorial misses a very important factor in a successful audit: leadership.Research projects, for example, require senior principal investigators who direct their trainees and liaise with their collaborators. Why should audit projects not deserve the same amount of support? It is unrealistic to expect trainees to independently improve clinical quality in their workplaces. Insufficient time and resources are barriers to audit1 – that is understandable as trainees have only 4-6 months in one placement, and limited influence on how their seniors practice. GP principals and hospital consultants are essential playmakers to complete a successful audit, since they can help incoming trainees to take over audit projects and advocate their colleagues to change practice.The incentives and values of audits are being depreciated. The GPST Recruitment Office no longer reviews applicants’ audit projects; it selects candidates mainly based on examination marks and scores in the Selection Centre scenarios.2 It can be argued this approach is objective, but it precludes assessment of applicants’ enthusiasm and readiness in general practice. If one completed an outstanding audit project in general practice, it sh...Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.