MTP7.09 Better Training Better Care (BTBC): Maximizing Surgical Training for Resident Doctors

Aim Training of resident doctors is crucial for the continuity of surgical care within the National Health Service (NHS). With increasing challenges in our health institutions such as increased wait times and service pressures, lasting disruptions from the covid-19 pandemic, reduced training hours and coupled with the longest pathways for training, surgical training structures needs to evolve to survive. Method Better Training Better Care (BTBC) involves the allocation of existing operating lists as trainee-led and consultant supervised within General Surgery. Each list is divided into 8 defined responsibilities, including consultant supervised consenting, trainee-led WHO sign-in, trainee as supervised operating surgeon and writing operating notes and post-op reviews. Core Surgical Trainees and Junior Clinical Fellows were assigned to lists individually and outcomes assessed based on ISCP work-based assessments and post-list surveys. Results BTBC has produced positive results. Trainees reported improvement in competency levels in areas like preoperative preparation of surgical patients, operative documentation and operative skills. Consultants reported full support from the entire theatre team for the initiative, no issues in patient safety and 100% would recommend to their fellow consultants to join the initiative. No significant prolongation of operative time occurred. Conclusion This initiative gives the trainee full responsibility of the operating list under full supervision of consultant. With its success, the program will be expanded to other surgical specialties and involve registrars. With increasing demands and changing training environment, programs like BTBC are required to ensure that trainees are sufficiently equipped to be surgeons of tomorrow.