Training opportunities in the management of paediatric fractures: a district general hospital perspective

Increasing subspecialisation, the introduction of reforms to surgical training, centralisation of hospitals and the reduction of working hours brought about by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) has direct implications on the training of surgeons in the UK. The aim of this study was to determine the range and number of procedures performed for paediatric orthopaedic fractures, degree of supervision and possible implications for training.

A retrospective review of procedures for paediatric orthopaedic fractures performed in a district general hospital in a year was conducted.

A total of 210 paediatric fracture procedures were performed, including 99 distal radius/ulna procedures, 28 shaft radius/ulna, 25 supracondylar procedures, 15 hand fracture procedures, 14 tibial shaft procedures. Middle grade/registrars and senior house officers performed 188 (89.5%) of all procedures. Consultant supervision was documented in 29 (13.8%) of all procedures performed. The number and type of common, as well as unusual, injuries was documented. The educational value of a training post may only be confirmed by reliable data which would provide an indication of operative opportunities and degree of supervision available to a trainee.

This study provided a model upon which all operative training opportunities in the orthopaedic department is documented. It is suggested that such data should form the basis of the establishment of training posts within a region. To maintain the high standard of orthopaedic training in the UK, the maintenance of such posts, number of trainees and seniority of trainees appointed to any hospital within a training region should be on the basis of data such as reported in this study.