Curtailment of higher surgical training in the UK: likely effects in otology

Entry into higher surgical training schemes in orthopaedics remains competitive: in the UK there are currently more than six applicants for each available training post. In many countries the application process is similar with candidates submitting written data in the form of a CV or application form. This is used as a basis for longlisting (the selection of all candidates who possess the minimum job criteria), then shortlisting (the ranking of longlisted candidates) and, finally, an interview. At interview the successful candidates are selected.

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Higher surgical training in the UK

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine ◽

10.1258/jrsm.98.8.388 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 98 (8) ◽

pp. 388-388

Author(s):

K. P Gibbin

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Higher Surgical Training ◽

The Uk

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Training tomorrow's laryngologists – head and neck training alone is not sufficient

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215113001989 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 127 (10) ◽

pp. 1001-1006 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

N De Zoysa ◽

N Amin ◽

M Harries

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Surgical Training ◽

Training Experience ◽

Diagnostic Ability ◽

Online Test ◽

Higher Surgical Training ◽

The Uk

AbstractBackground:Diagnostic ability is essential in laryngology. The UK Higher Surgical Training syllabus includes competencies specific to laryngology. This study aimed to identify the factors in training that lead to a consultant level of laryngology-related diagnostic ability.Method:An online test of training experience was constructed using laryngoscopy videos obtained from a specialist UK voice clinic. Participation was aimed at both trainees and trainers via invitation through national ENT forums.Results:There were 51 complete responses. Trainees with six months of laryngology experience scored significantly higher than those without this experience (p < 0.001). There was no improvement in score demonstrated for those with head and neck specialty experience without laryngology experience. Trainees who had completed 12 months of laryngology, or 6 months of laryngology coupled with 12 months of head and neck training, scored similarly to their consultant trainers.Conclusion:It is recommended that all trainees have at least six months of experience in a specialist voice or laryngology placement prior to gaining the Certificate of Completion of Training.

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Changes in UK ophthalmology surgical training: analysis of cumulative surgical experience 2009–2015

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018526 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. e018526 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jeremy Hoffman ◽

Fiona Spencer ◽

Daniel Ezra ◽

Alexander C Day

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Secondary Level ◽

Training Programme ◽

Median Number ◽

Specialist Training ◽

Surgical Experience ◽

Training Scheme ◽

Higher Surgical Training ◽

National Training ◽

The Uk

ObjectiveTo investigate changes in the patterns of cumulative surgical experience for ophthalmologists in the UK following the introduction of a new national training scheme.DesignRetrospective review of all surgical training records submitted to the UK Royal College of Ophthalmologists by trainees for the award of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) for the period 2009–2015.SettingSecondary level care, UK.Participants539 trainees achieving CCT over the 7-year study period.InterventionsHigher specialist training or ophthalmology specialist training.Outcome measuresNumber of CCT awards by years and procedures performed for cataract surgery, strabismus, corneal grafts, vitreoretinal (VR) procedures, oculoplastics and glaucoma.ResultsCataract surgical experience showed little change with median number performed/performed supervised (P/PS) 592, IQR: 472–738; mean: 631. Similarly, the median number of strabismus (P/PS 34), corneal grafts (assisted, 9) and VR procedures (assisted, 34) appeared constant. There was a trend towards increasing surgical numbers for oculoplastics (median 116) and glaucoma (57). Overall case numbers for ophthalmic specialist training (OST) trainees (7-year training programme) were higher than higher surgical training (HST) trainees (4.5-year programme) with the exception of squint (P/PS), corneal grafts (P/PS) and VR cases (P/PS).ConclusionsOverall case numbers reported at time of CCT application appear stable or with a marginal trend towards increasing case numbers. HST (4.5-year programme) case numbers do not include those performed before entry to HST, and although case numbers tended to be higher for OST trainees (7-year programme) compared with HST trainees, they were not proportionately so.

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Curtailment of Higher Surgical Training in the UK: Likely Effects in Otology

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine ◽

10.1177/014107680509800604 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 98 (6) ◽

pp. 259-261 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J Ray ◽

E Hadjihannas ◽

R M Irving

Keyword(s):

Skull Base ◽

Surgical Training ◽

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Training Programme ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

Operative Experience ◽

Higher Surgical Training ◽

One Year ◽

The Uk

Higher surgical training in the UK faces a cut of two years. We conducted a questionnaire survey to assess the operative experience of current higher surgical trainees in otological surgery and the likely effect of the proposed reduction from six to four years. 91 (65%) of the 142 higher surgical trainees responded with details of major otological procedures performed (independently or assisting) over one year. In the present six-year scheme a typical trainee performs 72 myringoplasties, 79 mastoidectomies, 7 skull base procedures and 28 other procedures. In the first four years, however, his or her experience is only 39 myringoplasties, 44 mastoidectomies, 4 skull base procedures and 7 others. The large shortfall in experience that might result from shortening of the training programme would need to be met by intensification of the training or institution of accredited otology fellowships. Very similar dilemmas are faced by other surgical specialties.

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Experiences in academic publication among ENT trainees in the UK: results from a national survey

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215121000864 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

S Shahidi ◽

M S Osborne ◽

G M Jama ◽

S Bola ◽

J Murphy

Keyword(s):

Surgical Training ◽

Full Time ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Surgical Trainees ◽

Current Survey ◽

Academic Publications ◽

The Mean ◽

Higher Surgical Training ◽

The Uk

Abstract Objective This study aimed to provide an objective means of identifying patterns in academic publication among ENT trainees during their higher surgical training. Method A cross-sectional survey was distributed to ENT higher surgical trainees. Results A total of 153 ENT specialty trainees participated, giving a response rate of 46.5 per cent. Across all years of training, the mean number of first author publications was three and the mean number of non-first author publications was two. For trainees at specialty trainee year 8 level, these figures were nine and five, respectively. Participants with doctoral degrees and those in academic programmes published more papers but the mean difference was only significant for the doctoral subgroup (p < 0.0001). Those with additional undergraduate degrees and those in less than full-time training had an overall lower number of publications. Conclusion Participants in the current survey achieved a higher average number of academic publications than is presently required to successfully complete higher surgical training in ENT. It is hoped that these results act as a guide for trainees planning the research component of their training to ensure that they remain competitive at consultant interview.

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