The motivation to learn: efficacy and relevance of the Oswestry postgraduate orthopaedic training programme

The efficacy and relevance of medical education has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. The shortening of basic surgical training and the introduction of 'seamless' higher surgical training has placed greater emphasis on the quality of education provided/facilitated by trainers. Additionally, study leave budgets are under increasing pressure from trainees wishing to attend courses or conferences, and regional postgraduate deans who wish to see a proportionally greater amount of training on an 'in-house' basis. Against this background we have reviewed the learning opportunities available on the Oswestry postgraduate programme to see if these opportunities provide adequate motivation to learn for the trainee.