The Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP)

Abstract

Participation in the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme is mandatory for all FTSTA and ST trainees in the nine surgical specialties – General Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology, Neurosurgery, Urology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Trauma and Orthopaedics (who currently move to OCAP at ST3). All specialties have developed a syllabus which includes the progression in knowledge, clinical skills, technical skills and professional skills throughout the years of training. There is strong emphasis on educational supervision from a consultant who will formulate a specific learning agreement with the trainee early in each training placement and then review progress throughout the placement. The learning agreement is based on the syllabus and adjusted depending on previous training and assessments as well as the opportunities available locally. Throughout each placement the trainee is assessed by their seniors using workplace based assessments which include those based on the Foundation assessments (miniCEX, CBD, DOPS, miniPAT) in addition to assessments more specific to surgery (surgical DOPS, PBA, logbook). As in other specialties and based on the Gold Guide, each year the trainee’s progress is assessed by a panel of consultants during the Annual Review of Competency Progression and if progress is satisfactory, the trainee progresses to the next stage of training. The trainee’s progress is recorded in an electronic portfolio held on a secure website which also houses the syllabus and guidance about many other aspects of training.