1668 Buying Your Way into A Run-Through Surgical Training Post: The Way Forward?

Abstract Introduction Competition for core surgical training (CST) applications has increased significantly over the last few years. This has been largely attributable to the introduction of limited run-through surgical posts which avoids the bottleneck at ST3 applications. We sought to assess how financial factors may affect current or potential future surgical trainees in their pursuit for run-through posts. Method A 10-point questionnaire was designed to assess various financial considerations for surgical trainees applying to the 2021 CST cycle who had the sole goal of securing a run-through post. Results were analysed using Chi-squared test. Results Of the 40 respondents, 95% were foundation doctors and 5% were core trainees. There was a significant association between willingness to achieve full marks in the CST interview and attending an interview course and obtaining 1-1 coaching sessions (p < 0.05). Familial income was not found to be a significant barrier to spending money on interview courses and coaching sessions (p < 0.05). Conclusions Applicants are willing to pay a significant premium to secure a run-through surgical post. Further research is required to fully understand the reasons behind this phenomenon and the impact on those from widening participation backgrounds.

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Riding the waves: the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on a national surgical training cohort

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) ◽

10.1007/s11845-021-02739-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Orla Hennessy ◽

Amy Lee Fowler ◽

Conor Hennessy ◽

David Brinkman ◽

Aisling Hogan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

World Health Organisation ◽

World Health ◽

Training Methods ◽

Viral Spread ◽

Surgical Services ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

Secondary Survey ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic on the 11 March 2020 resulting in implementation of methods to contain viral spread, including curtailment of all elective and non-emergent interventions. Many institutions have experienced changes in rostering practices and redeployment of trainees to non-surgical services. Examinations, study days, courses, and conferences have been cancelled. These changes have the potential to significantly impact the education and training of surgical trainees. Aim To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training, educational, and operative experiences of Irish surgical trainees. Methods Surgical trainees were surveyed anonymously regarding changes in working and educational practices since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic on 11 March 2020. The survey was circulated in May 2020 to both core and higher RCSI surgical trainees, when restrictions were at level five. Questions included previous and current access to operative sessions as well as operative cases, previous and current educational activities, access to senior-led training, and access to simulation-/practical-based training methods. A repeat survey was carried out in October 2020 when restrictions were at level two. Results Overall, primary and secondary survey response rates were 29% (n = 98/340) and 19.1% (n = 65/340), respectively. At the time of circulation of the second survey, the number of operative sessions attended and cases performed had significantly improved to numbers experienced pre-pandemic (p < 0.0001). Exposure to formal teaching and education sessions returned to pre-COVID levels (p < 0.0001). Initially, 23% of trainees had an examination cancelled; 53% of these trainees have subsequently sat these examinations. Of note 27.7% had courses cancelled, and 97% of these had not been rescheduled. Conclusion Surgical training and education have been significantly impacted in light of COVID-19. This is likely to continue to fluctuate in line with subsequent waves. Significant efforts have to be made to enable trainees to meet educational and operative targets.

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982 Higher General Surgical Trainee preferences for Annual Review of Competency Progression during COVID-19 Pandemic

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab259.884 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽

Author(s):

K Khan ◽

G Torpiano ◽

N Galbraith ◽

M McLellan ◽

A Lannigan

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Annual Review ◽

Surgical Trainee ◽

Training Groups ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

The Impact

Abstract Aim The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption in surgical training. We aim to explore the preferences of higher general surgical trainees for Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) also compare the responses across different training grades. Method All higher general surgical trainee in a single deanery were invited to participate in an online voluntary anonymous survey. The respondents were divided in two groups: junior (ST3-ST5) and senior higher surgical trainees (ST6-ST8) and responses compared. Results Sixty-four of 88 trainees responded. Thirty-three (51.6%) were ST3–ST5, 24 (37.5%) were ST6–ST8 and 7 (10.9%) were out-of-training. More trainees in ST3–ST5 group preferred to defer the next rotation for 12 months (18.2% vs 0%, p = 0.034), repeat current sub-specialty (33.3% vs 4.2%, p = 0.009), or add 12 months to training and delay predicted CCT date by 12 months (18.2% vs 0%, p = 0.034). Most trainees in both groups preferred the option of prolonging training should be offered to all trainees with an option to decline extension if ARCP competencies met (66.7% vs 50.0%, p = 0.276). Conclusions The preference for ARCP and length of training was different between two training groups, hence the need of trainees should be considered by training committees when addressing the impact of COVID-19.

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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on core surgical training

Scottish Medical Journal ◽

10.1177/0036933020949217 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 133-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Khurram Shahzad Khan ◽

Rona Keay ◽

Morag McLellan ◽

Sajid Mahmud

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

General Surgery ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Outpatient Clinics ◽

Box Trainer ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

Long Term Impact ◽

The Impact

Background and aims COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption in training which is even more pronounced in the surgical specialties. We aim to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on core surgical training. Methods All core surgical and improving surgical trainees in West of Scotland region were invited to participate in an online voluntary anonymous survey via SurveyMonkey. Results 28 of 44 (63.6%) trainees responded, 15 (53.6%) were CT1/ST1. 14 (50.0%) working in teaching hospital and 15 (53.6%) working in general surgery. 20 (71.4%) felt that due to the pandemic they have less opportunity to operate as the primary surgeon. 21 (75.0%) have not attended any outpatient clinics. 8 (28.6%) did not have any form of access to the laparoscopic box-trainer. 20 (71.4%) felt their level of confidence in preforming surgical skills has been negatively impacted. 18 (64.3%) found it difficult to demonstrate progress in portfolio. 21 (75.0%) trainees have not attended any teaching. 10 (35.7%) trainees have been off-sick. 8 (28.6%) trainees have felt slightly or significantly more stressed. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic has an unprecedented negative impact on all aspects of core surgical training. The long term impact on the current cohort of trainees is yet to be seen.

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O9 The Effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on operative and work-based assessment (WBA) activity on surgical training

BJS Open ◽

10.1093/bjsopen/zrab033.008 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

◽

Joshua Clements

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Training Programme ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Data Governance ◽

Training Activity ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

Percentage Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

And Training

Abstract Background COVID-19 has had a global impact on all aspects of healthcare including surgical teaching and training. The COVID-STAR qualitative study demonstrated a perceived negative impact of COVID-19 on numerous aspects of surgical training across all specialties and training grades. The aim of this study is to investigate how COVID-19 has affected operative case exposure and work-based assessments for surgeons in training. Methods Anonymized data has been sought from the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) database for operations and work-based assessments in each specialty, involving surgical trainees on an approved training programme at defined Pre-COVID (16/03/19 – 11/05/19) and COVID (16/03/2020 – 11/05/20) timepoints. Primary outcome measures are the percentage (%) difference in WBA and operative activity between time points respectively. Differences in training activity between time periods will be tested using Pearson χ2 and Kruskal–Wallis tests for categorical and continuous variables respectively. Results This study has been approved by the ISCP Data Analysis, Audit and Research Group, and data will be managed in accordance with ISCP data governance. The hypothesis of this study is that COVID-19 has caused a reduction in the operative and WBA activity of trainees across all specialties. Conclusion This study seeks to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on operative training activity and completion of WBAs in clinical practice. This information will inform major stakeholders involved in optimising surgical training in the COVID-19 recovery phase.

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The impact of modernising medical careers on the basic surgical training (BST) of oral and maxillofacial higher surgical trainees

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.bjoms.2009.06.105 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 47 (7) ◽

pp. e62

Author(s):

Jag Dhanda ◽

S. Mumtaz ◽

S. Visram ◽

A. Tanday ◽

K. Webster

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Medical Careers ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

The Impact

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TP8.2.3 Horses for Courses – the Impact of Covid-19 on Surgical Training Courses

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab362.077 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽

Author(s):

Roshneen Ali ◽

Alexander Baker ◽

Christopher Lewis

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Online Courses ◽

Online Delivery ◽

Surgical Technology ◽

Technical Leadership ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

Critical Skills ◽

Training Courses ◽

Primary Focus ◽

The Impact

Abstract Aims Surgical training has been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Educational courses may be mandatory for training progression, complementing critical skills for surgical trainees. Previous work collated a first comprehensive database of available courses. The aim of this project was to determine the extent of disruption caused to courses by the current pandemic. Methods A snowballing approach was used to systematically search all online resources for courses available in 2021. This included websites of the Royal Colleges, sub-speciality societies, trainee organisations, regional centres, deaneries and surgical technology companies. Course target grade, price, provider and dates were collated and compared to matching data from 2020. Results 35 sources yielded 127 courses. Since 2020, 78 courses had been cancelled and 37 new courses had been introduced. Courses price ranged between £90-1260 (median £495), with 12 courses increasing in cost overall and 4 reducing in cost due to online delivery. Only 13/127 courses were delivered online, 9 of which were newly available in 2021. Technical, clinical and revision courses constituted the majority (115/127), with only 3 courses dedicated to leadership or research. Conclusions Educational courses supplement aspects of deanery-led teaching which are perceived to be lacking. However, course providers must respond to the need of trainees and adapt to the training restrictions necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic by improving the availability of online courses. Whilst technical skills are often the primary focus of surgical training, the importance of non-technical, leadership and research skills is arguably greater than ever and should be recognised.

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TP8.2.15 Higher General Surgical Trainee preferences for Annual Review of Competency Progression during COVID-19 Pandemic

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab362.086 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽

Author(s):

Khurram Khan ◽

Giuliana Torpiano ◽

Norman Galbraith ◽

Morag McLellan ◽

Alison Lannigan

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Annual Review ◽

Surgical Trainee ◽

Training Groups ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

The Impact

Abstract Aims The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption in surgical training. We aim to explore the preferences of higher general surgical trainees for Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) also compare the responses across different training grades. Methods All higher general surgical trainee in a single deanery were invited to participate in an online voluntary anonymous survey. The respondents were divided in two groups: junior (ST3-ST5) and senior higher surgical trainees (ST6-ST8) and responses compared. Results Sixty-four of 88 trainees responded. Thirty-three (51.6%) were ST3–ST5, 24 (37.5%) were ST6–ST8 and 7 (10.9%) were out-of-training. More trainees in ST3–ST5 group preferred to defer the next rotation for 12 months (18.2% vs 0%, p = 0.034), repeat current sub-specialty (33.3% vs 4.2%, p = 0.009), or add 12 months to training and delay predicted CCT date by 12 months (18.2% vs 0%, p = 0.034). Most trainees in both groups preferred the option of prolonging training should be offered to all trainees with an option to decline extension if ARCP competencies met (66.7% vs 50.0%, p = 0.276). Conclusions The preference for ARCP and length of training was different between two training groups, hence the need of trainees should be considered by training committees when addressing the impact of COVID-19.

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The Impact of an Independent Sector Treatment Centre on Basic Surgical Training

Bulletin of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/147363512x13311314198175 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 94 (8) ◽

pp. 276-278

Author(s):

PG Vaughan-Shaw ◽

SG Chiverton ◽

DA Rew ◽

PH Nichols

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Medical Training ◽

Substantial Reduction ◽

University Hospital ◽

Full Time ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

Treatment Centre ◽

Independent Sector ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

The reorganisation of postgraduate medical training in the UK as a result of Calman reforms, the New Deal and the implementation of the European workingTime regulations (EwTr) has led to a substantial reduction in working hours and a fall in operative experience for surgical trainees. The move of large volumes of minor and intermediate NHS surgical caseload into independently run hospitals and specialist centres (of which the Southampton NHS Treatment Centre, an independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) is a well-established example) has also radically altered the basic surgical training environment. The Southampton ISTC is run on contract by Care UK and is medically staffed by a mix of full-time Care UK employees from the UK and abroad as well as by visiting consultants from University Hospital Southampton NHS foundationTrust (UHSFT).

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SP10.2.6 The Quantitative Impact of COVID-19 on surgical training in the United Kingdom

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab361.187 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽

Author(s):

Joshua Clements ◽

Joshua Burke ◽

Carly Hope ◽

Deirdre Nally ◽

Gareth Griffiths ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United Kingdom ◽

Surgical Training ◽

Elective Surgery ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Annual Review ◽

Surgical Specialty ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

Rate Ratios ◽

The Impact

Abstract Aims COVID-19 has had a global impact on all aspects of healthcare including surgical teaching and training. This study aimed to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on operative case numbers recorded by surgeons in training, and annual review of competency progression (ARCP) outcomes in the United Kingdom. Methods Anonymised operative logbook numbers were collated from e-logbook and ARCP outcome data were collated from the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) database for trainees across core and the ten higher surgical specialities. Operative logbook numbers and ARCP outcomes were compared between pre-COVID dates. Effect sizes are reported as incident rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results 5599 surgical trainees in 2019 and 5310 in 2020 in surgical specialty training were included. The IRR was reduced across all subspecialties because of the COVID-19 pandemic (0.55; 95% CI 0.53-0.57). Elective surgery (0.60; 95% CI 0.59-0.61) was affected more than emergency surgery (0.88; 95% CI 0.86-0.89). Regional variance with reduced operative activity was demonstrated across all specialities. 1 in 8 in their final year of training have not been able to achieve curriculum requirements and have had training extended. 1 in 4 trainees entering their final year of training are behind their expected training trajectory. Conclusion COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on surgical training in the UK. Urgent, co-ordinated action is required by key stakeholders to mitigate for these effects and maintain future surgical training.

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