Vascular Anastomosis Course for Core Surgical Trainees (VACT)

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: On completion of Core Surgical Training, Core Surgical Trainees (CSTs) are expected to have an understanding of emergency and elective vascular conditions as well as practical experience of vascular suturing. A proportion of CSTs will have a vascular rotation and may have been unable to acquire these skills during their placement. We used the postgraduate virtual learning environment (PGVLE) developed by Health Education England West Midlands (HEEWM) in combination with practical sessions to provide a Vascular Anastomosis Course for CSTs (VACT). There are few courses aimed at teaching CSTs the practical skills needed to become a vascular surgeon. VACT aims to improve tissue handling and teach anastomotic technique to CSTs whilst exposing them to the vascular specialty and increasing their knowledge of vascular disease and its management. Methods: VACT is a one-day course consisting of one hour of online material and a one day in-person session. The online content was distributed via the PGVLE platform and included pre-course video tutorials, information and a survey. The in-person portion of the day included two lectures on vascular surgery and trauma and four practical stations covering embolectomy, inlay grafting, end-to-side anastomosis and patch repair. Course feedback was collected anonymously on PGVLE with automated certificate distribution after completion. The results were analysed qualitatively. Results: Thirty East and West Midlands trainees attended the course, of whom 25 (83%) completed the post-course feedback. Three had been on a previous vascular course and 15 would consider applying for higher level vascular training. Eight trainees (32%) self-scored their knowledge of common vascular conditions as good/excellent before the course; this increased to 20 (74%) post-course. The number of trainees self-scoring themselves as confident/very confident with vascular emergencies increased from 0 (0%) pre-course to 15 (56%) post-course. The delivery, content and equipment for the practical stations was rated as excellent/good by all participants in the embolectomy station and by 96% of participants in all other stations. Prior to the course one person (4%) rated their practical skills in vascular surgery as good/excellent. After the course this increased to 14 (56%). In all four practical stations, self-rated confidence levels increased after completing the course.100% of attendees would recommend this course to their colleagues. Conclusion: Feedback from VACT was extremely positive with comments requesting further similar courses. With an increasing need for vascular surgeons, it is essential we provide CSTs with the skills required to complete core surgical training and pursue a career in vascular surgery. VACT could be replicated and adapted to provide vascular training to CSTs across the country.