AB097. Are trainees and educators on the ‘Same Page’ when it comes to their surgical training requirements? A qualitative study

Background: With the recent introduction of European Working Time Directives (EWTD), the experience of the surgical trainees in the operative theatre has been majorly impacted. Trainees within the Basic Surgical Training (BST) program feel the need to have more practice and exposure to operative skills to have the confidence to progress to specialty training. Several alternative methods of teaching have been implemented including the recent introduction of the simulation labs in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). The aim of this study is to analyse trainees’ experience during their basic training and explore what is lacking in terms of teaching and practicing. It will also fill the existent gap in literature that explores trainees’ experience and how the programs need to cater to their needs. Moreover, the study explores trainers’ input to achieve the expected level of the trainees in terms of knowledge and skills. The main goal is to find the discrepancy between both views and find solutions to overcome obstacles of surgical training in the Republic of Ireland (ROI).

Methods: Descriptive qualitative study with semi-structured interviews of Basic Surgical Training students and their supervising trainers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with trainees and trainers. 10 BST trainees and 8 supervising trainers were interviewed and basic demographics were recorded. The number of participants was determined using the concept of saturation of content. The data outcome was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The outcomes of the two sets of interviews were compared and conclusions were drawn.

Results: Total number of participants was 18. Ten trainees and 8 trainers were interviewed from various surgical specialties including Colorectal, Upper GI and Vascular surgery. Results showed 60% satisfaction rate of the current program amongst trainees with certain areas of improvement. These include research, hospital based training and improvement of the level of technical skills. The main themes generated from the trainees data were RCSI courses, hospital based training, technical skills and gaps in training. The trainers’ interviews revealed general satisfaction with the training program in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). The majority of the trainers felt the performance of trainees was average and 37.5% felt the performance has deteriorated overtime. The main themes of the trainers’ data were quality of surgical training in the ROI, trainees clinical performance, gaps in training and obstacles to training.

Conclusions: The current Basic Surgical Training program is of excellent quality in producing safe and efficient surgeons although certain aspects require improvement. This study can help provide direction for further qualitative research in surgical training.

Keywords: Surgical training; trainers; trainees; qualitative study