TP8.2.13 Impact of peer-delivered tuition/feedback on appointment to UK Higher Surgical Training

Aims In the UK, Core Surgical Trainees (or equivalent) undergo a rigorous National Selection (NS) process to secure a ST3 Training Post in General/Vascular Surgery. Despite decrease in competition ratio from 3:1 in 2012 to 1.48:1 in 2017, many applicants were unable to secure ST3 Training Posts. We hypothesise this is due to applicant performance anxiety rather than lack of clinical experience. We designed a 2-day structured course to address the applicant’s confidence levels in preparing for NS. Methods This is a prospective observational study following 27 delegates who completed a 2-day course delivered by surgical consultants and trainees; consisting of didactic lectures and interactive practice with a 1:1 faculty:delegate ratio. A specific mentor was nominated to oversee the delegate’s progress throughout and post course. Personalised feedback was given by the entire faculty throughout the course. Delegates were asked to complete evaluation forms to track their perceived confidence levels of success at NS at different timeframes, measured by a visual analogue scale. Paired t -test was performed to compare the mean confidence level pre- and post- course. Results Evaluation forms were received from all (n = 27) delegates. Self-reported confidence increased significantly for all domains except Professional Communication. 23 (85%) participants were successful at interviews post course. There was no statistically significant difference between UK and non-UK graduates, first time and not-first-time applicants. Conclusions Peer-delivered teaching, practice and feedback as a structured interview practice course significantly improves applicants’ confidence levels which translates to higher success rate at National Selection.

627 Trauma & Orthopaedic National Selection – What Is Really Going Through the Mind of Applicants?

Aim Obtaining a training number in Trauma & Orthopaedics (T&O) remains highly competitive. This study aims to provide an insight into applicant’s perceptions and preparation for the T&O national selection interview. Method 162 junior doctors applying to T&O national selection in 2021 were sent questionnaires using SurveyMonkey in December 2020. Applicants were identified from those attending the annual OrthoRevision ‘ST3 Core Knowledge Interview Course’. In total, 74 junior doctors (45.7%) covering all 16 surgical training regions in the UK completed feedback. Results There were wide variations in how much applicants would spend on preparation for the interview (e.g., books, revision websites, courses): 45.9% spend £100 - £500; 21.6% spend £500-£1,000; and 6.8% spend >£1,000. Most start preparation 3 months prior to the interview (42.5%) with the preferred method being practice with colleagues (49.3%). Almost all candidates (80.2%) use the ‘OrthoInterview’ question bank. Free mock interview courses were only available to 27% with candidates strongly in favour (78%) of the study budget covering preparatory courses in addition to study leave being granted to attend these courses (86%). At the first attempt at obtaining a training number, 69.9% were selective about where they would accept a job; in subsequent years candidates would be more willing to accept a job in any deanery (40.3%). Conclusions For the first time, we present the perceptions of applicants to T&O national training in the UK. Many candidates dedicate a large amount of time and money to the process and are initially more selective about where they apply.

Estimation of Population-Specific Genetic Parameters Important for Long-Term Optimum Contribution Selection—Case Study on a Dairy Istrian Sheep Breed

The Istrian sheep breed has been subjected to selection for dairy traits for more than two decades. However, a detailed study of some important population-specific parameters such as effective population size (Ne) and connectedness between flocks has never been carried out. The aim of the study was to examine the above parameters in dairy Istrian sheep subjected to a national selection program. The Ne was estimated as the mean rate of increase in coancestry, and connectedness was determined using four different statistics. The Ne was estimated at 73 animals with pedigree constraints imposed on 4 equivalent generations and 3 full generations. Analysis of ΔNe (“sliding window approach”) revealed a negative ΔNe indicating a progressive loss of genetic variability (ΔNeNEG≥4 = −6.6, p < 0.01; ΔNeNFG≥3 = −4.9, p > 0.05). The overall connectedness (r¯ ~ 0.0001) was below the acceptable level for unbiased ranking of the animals belonging to different flocks (ri,j = 0.05). OCS appears to be the best option for the long-term survival (self-sufficiency) of the breed, but genetic links between flocks need to be strengthened to allow unbiased ranking of the animals based on the estimated breeding values.

Implementing the Refugee Resettlement Process: Diverging Objectives, Interdependencies and Power Relations

Refugee resettlement is implemented by many different national and international stakeholders who operate in different locations and on the basis of sometimes diverging objectives. The implementation of the resettlement process has thus been characterized as multi-level governance, with resettlement stakeholders coordinating and negotiating the selection of refugees for resettlement. Still, literature on the implementation of refugee resettlement has remained very limited and has mainly focused on one specific stakeholder or stage of the process. In addition, a common conceptualization of the different stages is currently missing in academic literature. To address this research gap, the article proposes a common terminology of all stages of the resettlement process. Highlighting the diversity of resettlement programs, the article relies on a comparative case study of the German resettlement and humanitarian admission programs from Jordan and Turkey. By drawing on the concept of multi-level governance, the article examines diverging objectives and interdependencies between resettlement stakeholders, such as UNHCR and resettlement countries. As a result, the article argues that the increasing emphasis on national selection criteria by resettlement countries, including Germany, puts resettlement countries even more in the center of decision-making authority–in contrast to a diffusion of power that characterizes multi-level governance.

962 COVID-19 And ST3 National Selection in Surgery: What Happens to Core Surgical Trainees When We Remove the Face-to-Face Interview?

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.

About flowering phase of local pear sorts and their wild forms spread in Sheki-Zagatala region

In the article it is informed about typical characteristics of local pear sorts and their wild forms spread in Sheki-Zagatala region of Azerbaijan in flowering phase. During the research it was known that national selection sorts and wild forms of the pear devided into three groups for mass flowering period: quick flowering, medium term flowering, late flowering sorts. It was discovered that quick flowering sorts bloomed late, late flowering sorts bloomed quickly. Early spring months considered risky period of pollination and fertilization because of the changeable weather. Productivity depends on the level of pollination directly. The diversity of beginning and duration period on sort and forms has a positive effect to the productivity in Sheki-Zagatala region.

Training in cardiothoracic surgery: how far is the other side of the table?

This article discusses the history and process of national selection of trainees, future workforce planning and projections in cardiothoracic surgery. In addition (and perhaps most importantly), it describes the challenges of the new, shorter, seven-year specialty training curriculum.

ETTI MERINOS – KAZAKHSTANI EXPORT-ORIENTED MEAT BREAD

Sheep breeding in Kazakhstan is a traditional branch of animal husbandry. The development of the industry is facilitated by the presence of large areas of pasture lands, as well as the existing valuable gene pool of breed resources, created by national selection and long-term work of scientists-breeders. The republic has great potential for the further development of sheep breeding industry and is able not only to meet the population's need for mutton, but also to become a major exporter. The restoration and further development of domestic sheep breeding should be based on rational use of genetic potential of animals and natural pastures of the country for the cost-effective production of high quality sheep products that meet international standards. The article deals with the development of fine-wool sheep breeding in Almaty, Zhambyl and South Kazakhstan regions, improvement of meat characteristics of the South Kazakh merino. The experience of using "etti merino" rams-producers in farms of Turkestan region showed that meat merino rams have a positive effect on meat productivity of the South Kazakh merino, and at the same time do not worsen their wool characteristics. The information on the population number of sheep of "Etti Merino" breed for 2020, the class composition of the ewes on farms, productivity of rams-producers in a number of generations, assessment of the quality of the offspring of 6-7 month old rams, wool productivity of the breeding groups of female sheep are presented.

Locked In - Locked Out: Inflexibility in UK Training

Trainee doctors and surgeons involved in UK trauma teams work within inflexible training systems. Examples include prohibitively strict regional transfer rules which lock trainees in and rigid recruitment pathways by a National Selection process which can lock them out of training. The 2020 coronavirus pandemic required systems to adapt, exposing inflexibilities in training frameworks. Training inflexibility is identified as a major but addressable problem – the pressing question is which actions to take to give trainees the autonomy to excel.