Improving surgical training: Establishing a surgical anatomy programme in Scotland

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Anatomy Training

Background:

• Surgical anatomy is crucial for safe practice, but trainees often need further development.
• A pilot program was established for core surgical trainees in the Scotland Deanery.
• The goal was to ensure trainees reviewed whole-body surgical anatomy to MRCS level.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a comprehensive surgical anatomy program for core surgical trainees.
• To provide trainees with a structured review of surgical anatomy relevant to their practice.

Main Methods:

• Teaching sessions were held in Edinburgh, covering head and neck, trunk, and limbs.
• Methods included lectures (principles and cases) and interactive demonstrations on prosected specimens.
• Faculty consisted of surgical demonstrators and senior academic staff, including MRCS examiners.

Main Results:

• Over 300 trainees attended 16 sessions in the first 2 years.
• The response rate for evaluation forms was nearly 80%.
• Trainees highly rated the program's delivery, teaching level, and surgical focus.

Conclusions:

• Surgical anatomy education is vital for ongoing surgical training.
• The program demonstrated the importance of collaboration between medical schools, deaneries, and surgical colleges.
• The approach can be extended to higher surgical training and adapted globally.