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

2012 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 276-278
Author(s):  
PG Vaughan-Shaw ◽  
SG Chiverton ◽  
DA Rew ◽  
PH Nichols

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).

Author(s):  
S Shahidi ◽  
M S Osborne ◽  
G M Jama ◽  
S Bola ◽  
J Murphy

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Leiberman ◽  
M Trivedy ◽  
A Kausar

Abstract Introduction The 2020 ST3 recruitment year for Higher Surgical Training (HST) did not have a face-to-face interview due to COVID-19. Candidates were solely scored on portfolio self-assessment alone. We have assessed the impact on Core Surgical Trainee progression into ST3 by comparing the 2020 recruitment year with 2019. Method Total numbers of applicants to ST3 for all 7 surgical sub-specialties that recruit at ST3 level were obtained via Freedom of Information requests from Health Education England (HEE). These were sorted by those who were in CST, had completed CST or had an alternative equivalence certificate. Results Overall applicant numbers were up in 2020, mainly from an increase in applicants with a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Higher Surgical Training. Overall ST3 positions appointed to were down. CST progression rate was down slightly, with an increase in appointees &gt;10 years since graduation. Conclusions The 2020 recruitment year for ST3 HST had a higher number of applicants and lower places available than 2019. The majority of the extra applicants were trainees who have not completed CST in the UK. CST progression rate to HST was down slightly. The lack of face-to-face interview may benefit some candidates graduating &gt;10 years ago.


Author(s):  
Earley H. ◽  
Mealy K.

Abstract Introduction Postgraduate specialty training in Ireland is associated with considerable cost. Some of these are mandatory costs such as medical council fees, while others are necessary to ensure career progression, such as attendance at courses and conferences. In particular, surgical specialities are believed to be associated with high training costs. It is unknown how these costs compare to those borne by counterparts in other specialities. Aims The aims of this study were to Quantify the amount that trainees in Ireland spend on postgraduate training Determine whether a difference exists between surgery and other non-skill-based specialties in terms of expenditure on training Methods A standardised non-mandatory questionnaire was circulated to trainees across two training centres in Ireland. Trainees at all levels were invited to participate. Results Sixty responses were obtained. Fifty-seven questionnaires were fully completed and included for analysis. The median expenditure on training was higher for surgical than non-surgical specialities. Subgroup analysis revealed surgical training was associated with higher expenditure on higher degrees and courses compared to medical training (p = 0.035). > 95% of trainees surveyed felt that greater financial support should be available for trainees during the course of their training. Conclusions This study demonstrated that a career in surgery is associated with higher ongoing costs for higher degrees and courses than counterparts in non-surgical training. All surgical trainees surveyed felt that better financial support should be available. Increasing financial support for may be a tangible way to mitigate against attrition during training.


Author(s):  
Orla Hennessy ◽  
Amy Lee Fowler ◽  
Conor Hennessy ◽  
David Brinkman ◽  
Aisling Hogan ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Khan ◽  
G Torpiano ◽  
N Galbraith ◽  
M McLellan ◽  
A Lannigan

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanzeela Gala ◽  
Quratul Ain ◽  
Chekwas Obasi ◽  
Hajar Rashid ◽  
Sarkhell Radha ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim Higher Surgical training was decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic with cessation of elective care. Trainees raised concerns that the elective restart and need for higher theatre activity to clear backlogs would impact on training opportunities. This study evaluated the resumption of training associated with a ring-fenced elective centre (EC). Methods The EC was established in July 2020 and three time periods were determined: pre-COVID (10/19-2/20), 1st wave of COVID (3/20-7/20) and post EC go-live (8/20-12/20). Data was collated from the E-Logbooks of General Surgery Registrars. Results The normal all-speciality pre COVID theatre-activity averaged 1052 cases/month. During the first wave elective activity decreased to 254 cases/month (24% of normal activity). Within 5 weeks of establishment of the EC, theatre activity was near normal despite a reduced number of theatres (with higher theatre utilisation). Pre COVID, trainees accessed 22.9 cases per month which then dropped to 7.7 cases during the first wave of COVID. Post the go live of the EC, trainees were able to operate on 20 cases per month almost back to normal training levels. Prior to the impact of the second wave, each trainee had developed a deficit of 90 cases during the 5 months pause. Conclusion The ring-fenced elective centre has protected training opportunities for higher surgical trainees. However, the pause in training requires a targeted training recovery plan to overcome the deficit secondary to the first and subsequent waves of COVID to ensure that the JCST target of 1200 cases can be met for CCT.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-132
Author(s):  
R. H. (Bob) Fryer ◽  
Stephen Williams

This paper explores the impact of the decision by the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) in 1975 to revise its constitution to include elected reserved seats for women on its executive and other bodies. The analysis is situated within the context of women’s employment and trade-union representation in the UK at the time. Reserved seats for women were part of a wider restructuring of NUPE intended to extend democracy, incorporate the emergent system of shop stewards formally into its structure and government, provide for more effective representation and mobilization of different sections of members, and increase the accountability of full-time officials to lay members and their representatives. The initiative was successful; and although women’s participation in NUPE did increase, this was uneven. This was not entirely unexpected given the limited change initiated in just one haltingly democratizing trade union and the wider social and economic forces that constrain women.


2009 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 417-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J Brooks ◽  
Arul Ramasamy ◽  
David Hinsley ◽  
Mark Midwinter

INTRODUCTION In the UK, general surgical specialist trainees have limited exposure to general surgical trauma. Previous work has shown that trainees are involved in only two blunt and one penetrating trauma laparotomies per annum. During their training, nearly half of trainees will not be involved in the surgical management of liver injury, 20% will not undertake a trauma splenectomy and only a quarter will see a trauma thoracotomy. Military general surgical trainees require training in, and exposure to, the surgical management of trauma and specifically military wounding patterns that is not available in the UK. The objective of this study was to determine whether operative workload in the sole British surgical unit in Helmand Province, Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK) would provide a training opportunity for military general surgical trainees. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective theatre log-book review of all surgical cases performed at the Role 2 (Enhanced) treatment facility at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province on Operation HERRICK between October 2006 and October 2007, inclusive. Operative cases were analysed for general surgical trauma, laparotomy, thoracotomy, vascular trauma and specific organ injury management where available. RESULTS A total of 968 operative cases were performed during the study period. General surgical procedures included 51 laparotomies, 17 thoracotomies and 11 vascular repairs. There were a further 70 debridements of general surgical wounds. Specific organ management included five cases of liver packing for trauma, five trauma splenectomies and four nephrectomies. CONCLUSIONS A training opportunity currently exists on Operation HERRICK for military general surgical specialist trainees. If the tempo of the last 12 months is maintained, a 2-month deployment would essentially provide trainees with the equivalent trauma surgery experience to the whole of their surgical training in the UK NHS. Trainees would gain experience in military trauma as well as specific organ injury management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 133-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khurram Shahzad Khan ◽  
Rona Keay ◽  
Morag McLellan ◽  
Sajid Mahmud

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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