A Multicenter UK Study on Trainee Involvement in Clinical Audit: Is it an Effective Contribution to Service Quality Improvement or a Portfolio Generating Activity?

Abstract

Aims: The primary purpose of audit is to improve quality of care, but it is also considered edu- cationally valuable. Audits are often sought in job applications and also form annual review targets. The study aimed to examine audit activity across hospital trainees. Methods: 100 doctors, ranging from F1 to Specialty Training year 5 (ST5) level across 10 UK hospitals were invited to complete a printed or online questionnaire about audit involvement. Results: Seventy five (75%) participated, including 1 F1 (1.3%), 34 F2s (45%), 6 ST1s (8%), 14 ST2s (19%), and 20 ST3-5s and post-basic training fellows (26%). Their Specialities includ- ed: Medicine 33(44%), Surgery 29(38%), General Practice (GP) 6(8%), Anaesthesia 4(5.3%), Accident and Emergency (A&E) 2(2.6%) and Ophthalmology 1(1.3%). Seventy (93%) claimed audit involvement in the last year. Most (54, 72%) worked by themselves, with over a quarter led by others (28%). None received audit training. Most (86%) completed within 6 months. Audits focused chiefly on local practice (96%), with only 3 regional or national audits (4%). Only five were re-audits (6.7%), and just four were submitted for publication (5.3%). Most (60, 80%) were formally presented: 46 at local meetings (61%), 10 reaching regional (13%) and 4 international (5.3%) conferences. Conclusion: The positive response rate indicates that audit is a frequent trainee activity, but the results suggest that it is mainly a self-directed portfolio fulfilling exercise. Improved training and supervision may be needed to achieve the primary aim of audit, which is improved clinical practice, whilst the educational value is unproven.