Vascular surgical emergencies: how will future surgeons be trained?

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Surgical Training
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Assessing changes in emergency vascular surgical referrals since 1990.
• Investigating the impact of shift working on vascular training and on-call cover.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the evolution of emergency vascular surgical referral patterns.
• To determine the effect of new working patterns on surgical training and service provision.

Main Methods:

• Prospective survey of emergency vascular referrals in 2003 at two district general hospitals.
• Comparison of referral data between hospitals and with a 1990 study.
• Analysis of referral sources, timing, and initial management.

Main Results:

• Emergency vascular referrals at one hospital increased by 51% between 1990 and 2003.
• Out-of-hours referrals were significantly higher at one center (59% vs 35%).
• Vascular teams at one hospital saw a higher proportion of initial referrals (80% vs 47%).

Conclusions:

• Emergency vascular referrals have demonstrably increased.
• Trainees at one hospital encountered a greater volume of emergency referrals, potentially affecting training.
• Shift working patterns may influence the distribution and impact of emergency vascular referrals.