Trauma training in Australia and New Zealand: Results of a survey of advanced surgical trainees

Abstract

Regional rotations may need to be developed to even out trainees' experience in trauma management. The low level of supervision in trauma resuscitations and orthopaedic surgical training requires attention. This survey warrants repeating in a prospective manner.

Competency‐based training of basic trainees using human cadavers

“…It is disturbing to note that although 37.5% of candidates in the present study performed surgical registrar‐level duties, none had previous experience in saphenous vein cutdown. Given that this is a potentially life‐saving procedure that must be performed by surgical trainees in a rapid and complication‐free manner 10 , often without any consultant surgeon supervision in trauma resuscitations 11,21 , the present study highlights the need for the urgent development of competency‐based training for surgical trainees early in their training. The RACS, in its current status as an educational institution 22 , can play a role in facilitating the development of new instructional models, enhancing existing courses for surgical trainees and encouraging the study of anatomy for clinicians, the use of cadaveric dissection for proceduralists and supervised graded responsibility in the surgical training apprenticeship model.…”

“…Inefficient and dangerous practices may be perpetuated 10 . Surveys of advanced surgical trainees report inadequate, ad hoc teaching and supervision of procedural skills in the operating theatre and in the emergency department 11,12 . Basic surgical trainees have limited emergency procedural experience required to provide emergency resuscitative services 4 .…”

Training in Paediatric Trauma: The Problem of Safer Societies

“…General surgical trainees carried out an average of seven trauma laparotomies per year and fourth‐year trainees had carried out an average of 22 trauma laparotomies by 3.5 years of training. Only 32% of responders felt that their exposure to major trauma operations was very adequate 5 . The experience of paediatric surgical trainees, carrying out zero to five trauma laparotomies annually, appears even less satisfactory.…”

“…4 Concerns that surgical trainees' operative trauma experience may be less than adequate in an era of subspecialization prompted a recent survey of all RACS advanced trainees. 5 General surgical trainees carried out an average of seven trauma laparotomies per year and fourth-year trainees had carried out an average of 22 trauma laparotomies by 3.5 years of training. Only 32% of responders felt that their exposure to major trauma operations was very adequate.…”

Impact of cadaveric surgical anatomy training on urology residents knowledge: a preliminary study

“…Inefficient and dangerous practices may be perpetuated and inadequate supervision of procedural skills in the operating theatre was reported by advanced surgical trainees. [23][24][25] Benefits of a competency-based training should include rapid improvements in trainees' skills that are sustained and transferable to the clinical setting. [23] Live animal models are interesting to learn the principles of surgery but they are not broadly available, of little interest for learning human anatomy, expensive and carry a potential infectious risk.…”