364 Surgical confidence over a rotation in 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 and post-questionnaire.

Confidence levels were greater across all Likert scale questions at the end of the rotation.

Confidence levels at the start of the rotation had a modal score of 1 in managing the deteriorating surgical patient, end-of-life care and prescribing pre-emptive medications.

The lowest confidence levels at the end of the rotation were for speaking to a dying patient’s family and speaking to a patient about their management when their condition is unknown.

Common concerns of FY1 doctors were not being able to contact a senior in theatre and the busyness of the specialty.

Most FY1 doctors felt that case-based discussions would be the preferred method to increase understanding of general surgery.

Conclusions

Confidence levels improved by the end of the rotation. Targeted case-based discussions may support increasing confidence before and through the rotation.