EP.TU.317Assessing the competency of foundation doctors in urethral catheterisation

Abstract

Abstract Aim Our aim was to assess FY1/FY2 doctors’ experiences and confidence in performing urethral catheterisation in a teaching hospital. Methods This was a single centre, survey based study. An anonymous online questionnaire was circulated to all foundation doctors at the trust. The survey contained 18 questions. The domains included the number of catheterisations performed, confidence levels and whether they had been signed off as competent. This was followed by a series of knowledge questions. Results The survey was sent to 71 email addresses and the response rate was 53%. The results showed that respondents’ lacked experience and confidence in urethral catheterisation. We also found that 32% trainees had not inserted a female catheter during foundation training, and 55% had failed to insert a catheter in the last year. The vast majority (71%) of respondents did not feel confident in female catheterisation. Conclusions This study shows that knowledge and competency in urethral catheterisation (which is an essential GMC requirement) amongst junior doctors is still inadequate.