Articles
Register for Changes in Caseload and the Potential Impact on Surgical Training: A Retrospective Review of One Hospital's Experience
Iain Varley , James Keir and Phillip Fagg
Doncaster & Bassetlaw Foundation Hospitals NHS Trust, Doncaster Royal
Infirmary, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster, DN2 5LT
BMC Medical Education 2006
Published 18 January 2006
Abstract
Background
Recent reforms to the training grades have provoked debate about both quality
and quantity of training. The bulk of previous research into this area has been
qualitative, and little is known about the quantity of training opportunities.
This study aimed to determine if the number of elective operations available to
trainees was stable.
Methods
The number of elective procedures carried out in each surgical specialty
(General & Vascular Surgery, Urology, Orthopaedics, ENT) in a large district
general hospital was analysed in 6 month periods and adjusted for the number of
basic surgical trainees in each specialty. In order to allow comparison between
specialties, results for each 6 month period were calculated as a percentage of
those for the first period.
Results
The number of elective operations available per trainee fell in 3 of the 4
specialties, with a rise in Orthopaedics. Overall, the number of operations
available to each trainee was 56% of that less than a decade ago.
Conclusion
The number of operations available in a conventional hospital setting is
decreasing. Introduction of the Modernising Medical Careers reforms must take
account of this if they are to succeed in improving the quality of surgical
training.
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/6/6
BMC Medical Education 2006, 6:6 doi:10.1186/1472-6920-6-6
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