Doctors adopt stern plans (6)
I believe the answer is:
drafts
'plans' is the definition.
(drafting is a kind of planning)
'doctors adopt stern' is the wordplay.
'doctors' becomes 'Drs' ('Dr' can be a synonym of 'doctor').
'adopt' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are taken in or adopted).
'stern' becomes 'aft' (similar in meaning).
'drs' going around 'aft' is 'DRAFTS'.
(Other definitions for drafts that I've seen before include "Rough preliminary written versions" , "Rough outline texts" , "Preliminary outlines" , "Makes" , "Preliminary sketches" .)