In a ballot of BMA Scotland members, 97% voted for a 72-hour walkout over calls for a 23.5% pay increase above inflation.
Mr Matheson said he was "disappointed" with the outcome of the ballot and recognised that strike action would have a "very significant impact" on primary and secondary care.The 72-hour walkout would be the first ever strike by junior doctors in Scotland Junior doctors had already been awarded a 4.5% pay uplift recommended by the independent Doctors' and Dentists' Pay Review Body.Asked about the request, Mr Matheson said: "I have been very clear from the outset that 35% is simply unaffordable because it would result in a very significant cut to the health service budget, which would have a detrimental impact on the level of patient services that we could provide.
He said: "That is about making sure NHS Scotland is a place where they feel valued and that we help to support them in their training programmes as they move through the NHS over a number of years."but said he would provide an update on its scope and timeframe at the end of the summer.
It added that, with rises in inflation, this year's 4.5% uplift was "again being outstripped and the position on pay erosion will be worse by the end of the year".
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