FP5.4 - Improving Assessment of General Surgical Trainees in Multidisciplinary Team Working as a Capability in Practice: Perceptions of General Surgical Trainees and Trainers

Abstract

Abstract Aim To explore how Higher Surgical Trainees (HST) and Trainers feel multidisciplinary team (MDT) working as a capability in practice (CiP) can be improved. Methods Within a deanery, 8 General Surgical HST and 4 Consultants were recruited to participate in virtual semi-structured interviews. Once transcribed, reflexive thematic analysis was performed. Ethical approval was granted. Results MDT is not worked into most trainees’ rotas. Participants felt that by formalising MDT, as with other CiP, it could be better assessed. Trainers, half of whom are MDT leads, stated that responsibility for MDT training and assessment should be placed on all consultants, rather than solely the leads. Participants explored how pathways could be instituted for HST to maintain ‘ownership’ of some patients from assessment clinic to MDT meetings to fully engage. In order to build to this level, a baseline of preparing patients but not presenting was suggested by one of the consultants. While, with one exception, no participants favoured a further work-based assessment, it was advocated by all that further clarification from ISCP regarding expectations of trainees at MDT would allow for more comprehensive assessment in the future. Most participants proposed that all members of MDT contributed to an assessment rather than relying on the Multi-Consultant Report. To prevent issues with timing or resources, a shadow or simulated MDT was suggested for HST. Conclusion General HST and consultants expressed concerns with the current way in which MDT is assessed as a CiP however they proposed ways in which it could be improved in the future.