PURPOSE: Changes in undergraduate medical curricula, combined with reforms in postgraduate education, have training implications for surgical skills acquisition in a climate of reduced clinical exposure. Confidence and prior experience influences the educational impact of learning. Currently there is no basic surgical skills (BSS) programme integrated into undergraduate curricula in the United Kingdom. We explored the role of a dedicated BSS programme for undergraduates in improving confidence and influencing careers in King's College London School of Medicine, and the programme was evaluated. METHODS: A programme was designed in-line with the established Royal College of Surgeons course. Undergraduates were taught four key skills over four weeks: knot-tying, basic-suturing, tying-at-depth and chest-drain insertion, using low-fidelity bench-top models. A Likert-style questionnaire was designed to determine educational value and influence on career choice. Qualitative data was collected. RESULTS: Only 29% and 42% of students had undertaken previous practice in knot-tying and basic suturing, respectively. 96% agreed that skills exposure prior to starting surgical rotations was essential and felt a dedicated course would augment undergraduate training. There was a significant increase in confidence in the practice and knowledge of all skills taught (p<0.01), with a greater motivation to be actively involved in the surgical firm and theatres. CONCLUSION: A simple, structured BSS programme can increase the confidence and motivation of students. Early surgical skills targeting is valuable for students entering surgical, related allied, and even traditionally non-surgical specialties such as general practice. Such experience can increase the confidence of future junior doctors and trainees. We advocate the introduction of a BSS programme into United Kingdom undergraduate curricula.
Career Choice ; Climate ; Curriculum* ; Education ; General Practice ; Great Britain* ; Humans ; Learning ; Motivation ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To date no studies have specifically evaluated the use of handovers amongst core surgical trainees (CSTs) in the United Kingdom. We examined handover practice at the Oxford School of Surgery to assess and improve CSTs' perception of handover use as well as its quality, and ultimately patient care. METHODS: Based on guidelines published by the British Medical Association and Royal College of Surgeons, a 5-point Likert style questionnaire that collected data on handover practice, its educational value, and the CSTs'satisfaction with handover was given to 50 CSTs in 2010. RESULTS: Forty CSTs (80.0%) responded to the questionnaire. The most striking findings revolved around the perceived educational value, formal training, and auditing practice of handovers throughout various units, which were all remarkably lower than expected. As a result, handover practice amongst CSTs was targeted and revised at the University Hospital's Department of Plastic Surgery, with the implementation of targeted changes to improve handover practice. CONCLUSION: The execution of daily handovers was an underused educational tool amongst surveyed CSTs and may be an important modality to target, particularly in the competency-based, time-limited training CSTs receive. We recommend modifications to current practice based on our results and the literature and encourage the assessment of handover practice at other institutions.
Great Britain ; Humans ; Patient Care ; Patient Handoff ; Strikes, Employee ; Surgery, Plastic ; Surveys and Questionnaires