WHAT DIFFERENCE HAS MODERNISING MEDICAL CAREERS MADE TO EARLY YEARS TRAUMA & ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL TRAINING? EVIDENCE FROM THE FHI ELOGBOOK AND BOTA

Introduction: In August 2007, the Department of Health initiative Modernising Medical Careers was implemented. This was a system of reform and development in postgraduate medical education and training. In preparation for the changes, the SAC for TO 28 historical posts, 34 compliant and 30 non-compliant. The mean total number of recorded entries by trainees in the 4 month period was 73.2 in the historic group, 90.5 in the compliant and 87.3 in the non-compliant job group. The corresponding numbers of trauma operations were 35.7, 48.4 and 41.5. Conclusions: Operative experience has improved since the introduction of the new curriculum. The new posts are offering more operative and in particular trauma exposure than traditional SHO jobs. If jobs can be restructured such that they all comply with the SAC, educational opportunities in the early years will be maximised.