Charter Day Faculty of Surgical Trainers
 
 

The Faculty of Surgical Trainers held an inaugural event at Charter Day. The session Chaired by Ms Bridget Egan designed to reflect the issues that Surgical Trainers identified as important during Covid.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charter Day Faculty of Surgical Trainers

 

The Faculty of Surgical Trainers held an inaugural event at Charter Day which was attended by over 350 consultant surgeons.

 

The session Chaired by Ms Bridget Egan designed to reflect the issues that Surgical Trainers identified as important during Covid.

 

SURGICAL TRAINING IN TIMES OF STRESS

 

Professor Richard Reznick, FRCSI (Hon)

Queen’s University, President Elect Royal

 

Professor Reznick outlined the threats and opportunities that Covid had introduced to surgical training, not just in Ireland but brought an international perspective to the debate.

 

The threats to the delivery of training are universal;

  • Cancellation of elective surgery
  • in person conferences and educational events cancelled
  • Number of people in theatre minimised
  • Redeployment of trainees
  • Closing of simulation labs
  • Tendency for surgeries to done quickly by consultants only
  • Research shows decrease in major elective cases

 

This is a time of severe stress for trainees. 

 

The opportunities include the surge in online education and the swift introduction of telemedicine.

 

Professor Reznick examined the role that simulation now plays in surgical education and how in order for this to be effective investment is required especially for senior trainees, and concluded the talk with;

“Expediency to get the case done must never superseded our responsibility to train those who will be looking after you and me”

The full talk can be viewed here

 

 

Should I go on Fellowship in these crazy timesDr Mikke Medeni Vascular Fellow

 

Surgical Fellowships in the COVID Era – An International Perspective

 

Every element of Surgical Training have been affected by Covid, and decisions around fellowship have become even more complex than before.

 

The Charter Day session was an opportunity for Trainers to hear from those currently undertaking fellowships in, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, the individual testimonies gave an insight into the number, type and location of Fellowships available in a number of locations.

Trainers are often the first point of call for Trainees seeking advice on fellowships and the purpose of this session was to provide awareness of the new challenges facing Trainees considering undertake a fellowship abroad during Covid. 

There is advice on travel, visa arrangements, quarantine regulations and the type and number of fellowships available.


The presentations can be viewed on the links below.

 

 

 

THE FUTURE DELIVERY OF SURGICAL EDUCATION IN MULTIPLE SITES.

WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN MODEL 4 AND MODEL 3 HOSPITALS

 

The previous speakers outlined the structural changes that are happening in surgical training and this session examined the opportunities for the future delivery of surgical education at multiple sites.

 

Professor Dara O’Byrne presented an insight into the training including simulation structures currently in operation in Galway University Hospital.  One of key benefits of having onsite training was the ability to train the entire together and involve all who are part of the delivery of patient care.

 

The joint presentation by Professor Eoin Sheehan and Mr Sean Johnston Tullamore Hospital gave an insight into the education, training and simulation facilities that have been developed in collaboration with the HSE and a number of medical schools. 

Full details of the session can be view here

 
 
 
RCSI’s Institute of Global Surgery will be officially launch on Friday 12th March 2021
 
 

Building on extensive experience in surgical training, education and research partnerships in lower and middle-income countries

 

So, who are we, and what do we do?


Building on extensive experience in surgical training, education and research partnerships in lower and middle-income countries

 

So, who are we, and what do we do?

 

Led by Prof Mark Shrime, inaugural O’Brien Chair of Global Surgery, we’re a team of surgeons, researchers, educationalists, communications specialists, statisticians, and project managers.  Our starting point is our shared understanding that global surgery is about improving equity and improving health outcomes.  We work towards delivering safe surgery where it is currently not available.

 

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions, we have started several new projects and are collaborating with a number of new partners.

 

In partnership with Scottish charity, Kids Operating Room; the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA); and the West African College of Surgeons, we are currently developing the first bespoke pan-African online teaching programme for paediatric surgery. 

 

 

Meanwhile, in Malawi, we are working with global medical technology company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) in a $500,000 project to develop a paediatric surgical network that will expand surgical care to 8 million children.  We’re also working to improve patient-centred paediatric care there through a PhD programme funded by the Fulbright Commission.  In Zambia we’re evaluating the government’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia plan.  

Along with our colleagues in RCSI SIM Centre for Simulation Education and Research, we are leading a mentorship programme for teams from low and middle-income countries competing in a $5m Global Surgical Training Challenge.  This Challenge is to promote the creation of novel, low-cost surgical simulation training resources.   Our partners include MITSolve and the Intuitive Foundation. We will be working with Subject Matter Experts across RCSI and externally to support the teams -  based in South America, India, the Middle East and Africa - in the Challenge over the next two years.

The Institute is the base for RCSI’s longstanding partnership with COSECSA, the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa.  In December and January, we supported COSECSA to examine a record 124 candidates for Fellowship exams in a unique ‘blended hybrid’ online/on-site format across seven countries.  109 candidates were successful and COSECSA has now graduated a total 559 specialist surgeons.  The retention rate of COSECSA surgeons within Africa remains strong at 92%.

We have recently signed an agreement with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and Global Surgery Foundation, both based in Geneva, to develop training and educational resources for global surgery.

Closer to home, we have been busy increasing the educational and public engagement output of the Institute in Ireland. Last September, we delivered the first RCSI CPD course in Global Surgery for surgical registrars.  Expert contributors from Canada, US, Kenya, Malawi and Cameroon joined our own faculty to introduce participants to the academic discipline of global surgery and its real-world application.   

In January, Prof Shrime hosted a webinar on UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Health and Wellbeing with Dr Gaya Gamhewage, Prof Abraham Verghese and Prof Emmanuel Ameh. The following month, Prof Shrime and Prof Camilla Carroll hosted a very successful Global Perspectives session at the RCSI Millin Meeting.  The keynote speaker was His Excellency Dr Lotay Tshering, surgeon and Prime Minister of Bhutan.

Throughout the year, we teach on the global surgery modules and sub-module in RCSI’s MCh by Module by Surgery and MCh in Surgical Science and Practice.  Later this year, we hope to announce the first PhD programmes in Global Surgery.  Stay tuned!

The RCS Institute of Global Surgery will be officially launched on Friday 12th March at 15:00.  The keynote speaker is Dr Gary Parker, CMO, m/v Africa Mercy, Mercy Ships.  All are welcome to join us: rcsi.com/IGSLaunch

Find out more on rcsi.com/globalsurgery and follow us on twitter @RCSI_GlobalSurg

 
 
Join us this Thursday - Global Virtual Open Event - 4 March 2021
 
 

Join us this Thursday at 13:00 - 13:45 (GMT) for our global virtual open event to discuss a range of postgraduate programmes to support the professional development of those working in healthcare.


Join us this Thursday at 13:00 - 13:45 (GMT) for our global virtual open event to discuss a range of postgraduate programmes to support the professional development of those working in healthcare.

 

We are committed to delivering excellence in surgical education by providing a range of Masters and Diploma Programmes dedicated to Surgeon’s, Emergency Medicine Physician’s, Nurse’s, Physician’s, Anaesthetist’s and other Health and Social Care practitioners.

 

Click here to register for the event or email cpdss@rcsi.ie if you have any queries or questions.

 

Global Virtual Open Event Flyer

 
 
Covid Era Post CSCST Fellowships
 
 

Post-CSCST Fellowships within Ireland are now an option for trainees who are considering undertaking a Fellowship.

 

These Fellowships provide opportunities for those doctors who have completed specialist training in Ireland to access high-quality training in a specialised area of clinical care.


Post-CSCST Fellowships within Ireland are now an option for trainees who are considering undertaking a Fellowship.

 

These Fellowships provide opportunities for those doctors who have completed specialist training in Ireland to access high-quality training in a specialised area of clinical care.

 

They are designed for doctors who need to acquire additional training or experience which was not available on their Higher Specialist Training programme.

 

The challenges faced by the Irish health service in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID are unprecedented.

 

4 fully funded and accreditated Covid Era fellowships in Surgery and 4 in Emergency Medicine have been approved by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer.

 

These positions are fully funded for the July 2021 – July 2022 training year.

 

Further details and how to apply can be found below:

 

Surgery: https://msurgery.ie/covid-era-fellowships-2021/

Emergency Medicine: http://emnow.ie/wordpress/covid-era-fellowships-2021/

 

 
 
National Clinical Programmes
NCPS GUIDE FOR PRIORITISATION OF URGENT SCHEDULED SURGICAL CONDITIONS
 
 

COVID-19 has already resulted in significant disruption in surgical practice in Irish hospitals. The log book numbers of Trainees are indicative of this.  However, many patients will still require emergency or urgent surgery.


COVID-19 has already resulted in significant disruption in surgical practice in Irish hospitals. The log book numbers of Trainees are indicative of this.  However, many patients will still require emergency or urgent surgery.

The National Clinical Programmes office published, a Guide for Prioritisation of Urgent Scheduled Surgical Conditions, the first edition published in May 2020 and the latest update to the Otolaryngology Section added in February 2021.

The document was developed by the RCSI National Clinical Programme in Surgery and sets out the prioritisation of urgent scheduled surgical conditions that require surgical intervention within a 2-month timeframe. The document also sets out cases that can be deferred and alternative therapies that can be considered during the COVID-19 restrictions.

 The full document from the National Clinical Programmes Office can be found here;  NCPS Guide for Prioritisation of Urgent Scheduled Surgical Conditions

 
 
Recruitment Process during Covid
 
 

The annual recruitment process for Surgical Training will be a completely different experience this year both for applicants and interviewers.


The annual recruitment process for Surgical Training will be a completely different experience this year both for applicants and interviewers.

The Department of Surgical Affairs has amended the process to ensure that the recruitment can continue in a virtual environment while continuing to ensure that there is no diminution of standards.

The recruitment for Core Training took place on the week beginning on the 22nd of February 2021. This year we had 240 applicants. Of the applicants, 225 attended virtual interviews. These interviews involved 30 panels over 3 days and we would like to thank the 90 interviewers who gave up their time to help us complete this mammoth task.

 

The recruitment to Specialist training will start on the 15th of March 2021.

 
 
Update on MRCS Exams
 
 

A May diet of the MRCS Part B OSCE exam will take place on 11th-12th May however that is now closed for applications.


A May diet of the MRCS Part B OSCE exam will take place on 11th-12th May however that is now closed for applications.

 

Further information on upcoming dates will be available on the RCSI website.

 
 
National Trainer Survey
 
 

The Annual Surgical Trainer survey is now open - Surgical Trainer Survey

 


The Annual Surgical Trainer survey is now open - Surgical Trainer Survey

 

This year, the survey is intended to give participants the opportunity to provide feedback to the College on the supports that have been put in place and how the College can continue to provide meaningful support to those delivering surgical training in a challenging situation.

 

Early on in the pandemic, RCSI established a Covid support hub that has continued to evolve and adapt during 2020.

 

The hub contains a large amount of information relating to Covid, this is just one of the initiatives that the College has put in place.

The annual survey is an opportunity for trainers to provide feedback directly on what has been useful and what other information would be beneficial.