Please login to view this media
- Talk
- 21/09/2022
- UK
Can High Quality Patient Care Co-Exist With Erosion of Training Standards (BOA Education & Careers Committee)
Description
The session began with Rob Gregory welcoming attendees to the final discussion of the day, focused on the controversial topic: "Can high quality patient care co-exist with the erosion of training standards?" Gregory introduced the theme, expressing hope that the provocative title would draw a large audience. He outlined the current unsustainable state of healthcare delivery in the UK, highlighting increasing demand exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, while noting a decrease in capacity due to nursing shortages and other factors.
The discussion then delved into the significance of maintaining training standards amidst this crisis, exploring both the challenges and the perspectives of trainees. Rob emphasized the importance of patient-centric care and the need to address the growing waiting lists for hospital treatments, which reached 6.5 million by September 2022, significantly growing post-COVID. He presented statistics demonstrating the erosion of training opportunities for orthopedic trainees and the potential long-term implications for future care if changes are not made.
Paul Buckley subsequently provided a patient’s perspective, recounting his extensive experience in senior management within the healthcare sector. He argued that patients need to understand medical training better, suggesting a lack of communication regarding training pathways. Buckley emphasized the necessity for transparency and clarity concerning the qualifications and capabilities of healthcare professionals interacting with patients.
Adrian Andronic shared trainee experiences, highlighting their concerns over access to surgical procedures and training opportunities. With many feeling uncertain about their ability to meet training requirements due to ongoing service pressures, he urged that solutions, such as augmented reality training and surgical hubs, be implemented.
Anna Bennett discussed the crucial role of SAS (Specialist and Associate Specialist) doctors, advocating for their recognition in the training framework alongside trainees to meet the pressing healthcare demands. She stressed the potential for SAS doctors to contribute to patient care and training while addressing their own career development needs in the context of significant service delivery challenges.
Finally, Cronan Kerin summarized the recruitment process and the significance of face-to-face selection to ensure fairness and thorough evaluation of candidates. Representatives from both the selection group and the trainees shared insights about the recruitment hurdles, emphasizing the importance of training pathways and the collaborative nature of surgical education.
Overall, the session encapsulated the tension between maintaining high training standards while ensuring immediate patient care needs are met, calling for innovative approaches to address the ongoing crisis in healthcare provision.