EP 017 Evaluating the Effect of our Local Surgical Handbook Versions on Confidence Levels Post Rotation for Foundation Year One Doctors Over Four Rotations

Aims

Assess confidence levels of general surgical foundation year one doctors in managing surgical patients at the end of their rotation. Assess the impact of version two (V2) of the surgical handbook introduced in August 2024 and version three (V3) introduced in August 2025 on confidence levels.

Methods

V2 of the surgical handbook contained 96 pages. V3 contained 97 pages. V2 was given to the August 2024, December 2024 and April 2025 (Year 1) cohorts and V3 to the August 2025 cohort post-rotation. 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. Data was initially inputted using Google Docs and analysed in Microsoft Excel.

Results

56% (22/39) Year 1 cohort and 53% (8/15) August 2025 cohort completed the survey. 100% (22/22) Year 1 cohort had read V3 and 100% (8/8) of August 2025 read V2.

Modal confidence scores were the same in six of the ten questions.

Modal confidence scores were higher in the Year 1 cohort for prescribing intravenous fluids and speaking to a dying patients family. Modal confidence scores were higher in the August 2025 cohort for managing a surgical patient with an unknown condition.

The most favoured educational method of teaching for both cohorts were case-based discussion.

Conclusions

Confidence levels were higher in the Year 1 cohort with V2, however, due to lower numbers of responses more data is required to support these findings.