332 Improving Preparedness of Junior Doctors in Surgery Through Development and Implementation of an Induction Booklet

Abstract

Abstract Aim Disruption to undergraduate clinical training during the COVID-19 pandemic caused a perceived lack of preparedness amongst newly qualified junior doctors. We aimed to improve junior doctor preparedness in surgery, through development and implementation of an induction booklet. Method An electronic survey distributed in December 2021 assessed junior doctors’ perceived preparedness for their surgical job and identified inadequacies in the existing induction programme. Through feedback and suggestions, we designed a 30-page induction booklet containing information for each surgical sub-specialty, on-call commitments, the rota, practical tips, and important contact numbers. The booklet was distributed to the subsequent two junior doctor cohorts, six weeks prior to them joining, in April and August 2022. They completed an electronic survey within their first week to assess the impact of the induction booklet. Results Survey response rate was 60% (n = 29) from the pre-intervention cohort and 55% (n = 28) from the post-intervention cohort. Prior to intervention, most junior doctors felt unprepared for their day-to-day surgical job (79%) or their first on-call shift (69%). Following the implementation of the booklet, only 11% of respondents felt unprepared for their day-to-day surgical job, more than a seven-fold improvement (p<0.0001). The proportion of respondents who felt unprepared for their first on-call shift significantly decreased to 32% (p = 0.0081). 93% of respondents reported that the induction booklet was useful in preparing them for their surgical job. Conclusions Development and implementation of a departmental induction booklet is a useful tool to improve preparedness amongst junior doctors in surgery.