LAUSR

Abstract Introduction In the national training survey undertaken by the GMC in 2019 the general surgery teaching programme at North Bristol Trust scored 35.24 for local teaching; significantly lower than the national average. We aimed to introduce a teaching programme for foundation doctors on their general surgery rotations to help them meet the objectives set out by The UK Foundation Programme curriculum and gain further insight into general surgery and the roles of allied healthcare professionals. Methods A survey consisting of Likert scale and open ended questions was distributed to foundation doctors at the start and end of their foundation programme placements from August to December 2019. During this period a general surgery teaching programme was introduced consisting of once weekly sessions led by allied healthcare professionals and once weekly consultant led sessions. Results The number of foundation doctors agreeing with the statement ‘I think the General Surgical Unit is a good training and learning environment for foundation doctors rose by 33% (59% to 92%). There was an increase of 59% (24% to 83%) in the number of foundation doctors who felt they had good educational opportunities during their general surgical attachment. Conclusion The implementation of a general surgery teaching programme involving specific consultant-led sessions and sessions led by allied healthcare professionals (bariatric specialists, amputation counsellors, palliative care specialists) is invaluable to foundation doctors. It retains the interest of surgically and non-surgically inclined foundation doctors and is an essential element of a general surgical placement in a teaching hospital.