More Trainees and Less Operative Exposure: A Quantitative Analysis of Training Opportunities for Junior Surgical Trainees

Abstract

The evolution of postgraduate medical education in the UK continues to influence the quality of surgical training. Many reforms over the last three decades have affected training, including the Calman reforms, Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) and the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). The net effect of these changes is a reduction in working hours and shorter total training time for surgical trainees. Compounded by increasing subspecialisation, centralisation of surgical services and surgeon-specific data reporting, there may be fewer operative opportunities for surgical trainees.