Diversity in core surgical training: Trends between 2012 and 2022

A diverse healthcare workforce is an important goal in ensuring that services reflect and meet the needs of a diverse population. Core Surgical Training (CST) is the first stage of surgical training in the UK, but diversity trends at this level have not been previously described. We aim to describe trends in gender, ethnicity, disability, and sexuality among successful CST applicants between 2012 and 2022.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using anonymised data from the UK Medical Education Database (UKMED) for all successful CST applicants between 2012 and 2022. Chi-squared tests for trend were used to assess statistically significant changes in demographic characteristics over time. Data were categorised and missing data excluded as per pre-specified protocols.

The proportion of Non-White CST entrants rose from 36.5 % in 2012 to 54.3 % in 2022 (X² = 124.421, p < 0.001). Entrants declaring a disability increased from 4.8 % in 2016 to 10.4 % in 2019 (X² = 22.225, p = 0.014). No significant trends were observed for gender (X² = 15.338, p = 0.120) or sexuality (X² = 9.880, p = 0.451).

This study highlights positive trends in the ethnic and disability diversity of successful CST applicants over the past decade. However, gender and sexuality diversity showed no significant change. Further research is needed to explore barriers to entry and ensure continued progress towards an inclusive surgical workforce.