686 Transition From Higher Surgical Trainee to Consultant Practice: A PRISMA Scoping Review of Non-Clinical Deficiencies in Training

Abstract

Abstract Background Higher surgical training (HST) focuses on delivery of clinical knowledge to pass FRCS exams, technical skills to fulfil CCT requirements, and clinical preparedness in the UK. The lack of good quality evidence to characterise the non-clinical challenges during transition from HST to consultant surgical practice, makes it challenging to develop a well-structured intervention to address this gap. Aim To identify the gap in current literature, methodologies and analysis of inventions trialled to address the transition from surgical trainee to consultant surgeon. Method PRISMA-ScR structured scoping review of literature. Search terms were wider than the specific research question of surgery in the UK. Other medical specialities and overseas healthcare training programmes were included to focus the gap analysis for translatable content and sub analysis to highlight the paucity of literature in surgery. Results Databases interrogated: Medline, HMIC, Pubmed, Google Scholar. Papers: identified n = 434, screened n = 276, eligible n = 105, included n = 50. Majority of papers were of poor to moderate quality. The moderate-quality papers included those adopting a mixed methods approach to both characterise the gap in training and utilised this to structure interventional programmes. Conclusions This review highlights the need for a mixed methods approach alongside a stakeholder analysis to identify target population for qualitative semi-structured interview (most likely to be newly appointed consultants) for characterising the gap in HST for trainees making the transition to UK NHS consultant practice. The topic guide for interviews would be informed by the deficiencies in training identified in this scoping review.