Needs assessment of surgical skills of interns: a qualitative study in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia

Upon graduation, newly qualified doctors are expected to manage complex and unwell patients, and adapt their prior learning to navigate an often-nuanced healthcare workplace environment. Surgical rotations can bring a unique set of learning curves and challenges to this already demanding transitional period. The aim of this study was to identify the training needs of medical students and early-career doctors in surgical skills, incorporating viewpoints from all stakeholder groups to provide a holistic insight into the provision of surgical education currently, and how it can be optimized to improve work preparedness.

Final-year medical students, interns and clinical educators from five clinical schools affiliated with the University of Melbourne were recruited for semi-structured interviews. Following transcription, multi-phased thematic analysis was performed to identify key themes.

Thirty-seven participants were interviewed (18 students, 8 interns and 11 clinical educators). Outside of commonly utilized procedural skills, different emphases were placed on non-technical skills by students and interns, compared to clinical educators. Increased hands-on learning and structured teaching were thought to be key to increasing confidence and work preparedness.

This qualitative study interviewed key stakeholders to identify important skills in order to help newly qualified interns to thrive in a surgical rotation. These skills in particular included more supervised hands-on practical teaching. Future studies involving graduates from other medical schools may provide a better understanding of surgical education in the wider Australian context.