Surgical training in the 21st century: Are we limited by training time or are we just distracted?

Abstract

The aim of any surgical training programme is to produce competent, effective, and safe individuals, who will go on to deliver high quality patient care, for a prolonged period at an affordable cost. The fundamental principles of surgical training have remained unchanged for years, despite there being increasing concerns relating to trainee recruitment, retention, and morale. There is no benefit in ascribing shortcomings of surgical training to uncontrollable factors such as the European Working Time Directive, unprecedented NHS service demand following COVID-19 and economic uncertainty. Instead, we must look introspectively at existing opportunities for improvement in order to continue to produce high quality surgeons in the NHS.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kate Gargan

Kate Gargan, BA(Hons) MB BChir (Cantab), graduated from University of Cambridge Medical School in 2021. She is currently a Foundation Year Two doctor in London.

Alice Gargan

Alice Gargan, BSc(Hons) MBChB MRCS, graduated from University of Leeds Medical School in 2019. She is currently a Core Surgical Trainee on a Plastics Themed Post in London.