361 A comparison of confidence at the start of a general surgical rotation between first and second rotations of foundation year one doctors in a busy district general hospital

Aims

Methods

FY1 doctors were surveyed in December 2022. Ten questions used Likert scales (1 to 5: not at all confident to very confident) to assess general surgical patient management. One question focused on education methods and one open question. Data was initially inputted using Google Docs and analysed in Microsoft Excel.

Results

10 FY1 doctors (10/10) completed the pre-questionnaire in their first rotation. 6 FY1 doctors (6/9) completed the pre-questionnaire in their second rotation.

All second-rotation respondents had a previous medical rotation.

Confidence levels were higher for FY1 doctors at the start of their second rotation in surgery than those in their first rotation.

Areas, where FY1 doctors in their first rotation had higher confidence levels, were: maintenance fluid therapy, managing biliary disease, managing non-specific abdominal pain and speaking to a patient about their management when their condition is unknown.

Most FY1 doctors in the first rotation felt that case-based discussions would be the preferred method to increase understanding in general surgery whereas most second rotation FY1 doctors preferred method was group teaching would be.

Conclusions

Confidence levels were higher in the doctors on their second rotation than in their first. Further targeted teaching may support increasing confidence before the rotation.