The supernumerary registrar experience in KwaZulu-Natal

We sought to assess the experiences of trainees enrolled in the supernumerary registrar programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with a specific focus on their assimilation into host clinical units and their intentions to return to their home countries upon completion of the training.

This was a cross-sectional survey involving 50 supernumerary registrars attached to six academic hospitals affiliated with the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The survey collected information on registrar's demographics and financial support, speciality, opportunities for advanced training in their home country, assimilation into host clinical units and intentions to return home upon completing the training. The survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

The majority of supernumeraries were < 36 years old (n = 32, 64%), male (n = 31, 62%), and self-funded (n = 31, 62%). Only a few supernumeraries were associated with a training facility in their home country (n = 9, 18%). Most supernumeraries (n = 44, 88%) reported not having an equivalent training programme in their home country. Awareness of the programme was predominantly acquired through self-research (n = 35, 70%), and the application process was perceived as problematic by many supernumeraries (n = 46, 92%). Most supernumeraries (n = 43, 86%) assimilated into their host clinical units, and nearly one-third (n = 16, 32%) did not plan on returning home upon completion of their training.

Most supernumerary registrars assimilate into host clinical units and play an important role in service delivery during their training. Mechanisms should be put in place to facilitate retention of these individuals in their home countries upon completion of their training.