Basic surgical training. 3: A view from Ireland

This report points to the inadequate knowledge of anatomy shown by recent medical graduates, now reflected in their poor performance in the oral examination in anatomy in Part A of the FRCSI examination. Although it seems likely that the new examination for the Associate Fellowship of RCSI will retain an oral examination in surgical anatomy, the lack of recognition of a demonstratorship in anatomy as part of the Basic Surgical Training program will deter good applicants for these posts, which will in turn further weaken undergraduate teaching of anatomy.