WP6.15 - A dedicated teaching programme in Colorectal Surgery: continuing education beyond medical school

Abstract Background The UK Foundation Programme (UKFP) Curriculum illustrates the need for educational progression for doctors in their first two years of work. Although UKFP recommends use of departmental teaching for this, there is limited guidance on structured and learning-objective focussed training. We designed a colorectal surgery lecture series to create a reproducible teaching programme with defined learning outcomes. Methods We developed a 6-part lecture series aimed at FY1 doctors working in General Surgery at our Teaching Hospital. Teaching was in the form of 30-minute powerpoint presentations, with 15 minutes for questions, at weekly departmental teaching meetings. Lectures were delivered by FY2 doctors and members of colorectal multidisciplinary team (Enhanced Recovery CNS, Stoma Care CNS). Each session was supervised by a Colorectal Consultant. Feedback was obtained using a 10-point Likert scale questionnaire, assessing various domains. Results FY1 trainees indicated an increase in their knowledge with each lecture. Furthermore, the domains of relevance (mean score 9.53±0.80); teaching style (mean score 9.66±0.94); and audiovisual aid (mean score 9.68±0.70) were all rated highly. Lecture duration was rated as perfect length (mean score 5.86±1.80). Conclusion We have demonstrated that weekly departmental teaching can be utilised to enhance training for FY1 doctors within a challenging surgical subspecialty. Feedback revealed high satisfaction, facilitating improvement in knowledge and thus empowerment in undertaking clinical duties. Strengthened by this positive outcome work is in progress to introduce this format of structured teaching into departmental teaching meetings in all disciplines of medicine and surgery across our Trust.