'Talking excellence' - a preview from Craig McIlhenny

As surgeons, we aspire to excellence in our dealings with our patients. As trainers, we aspire to excellence in the training we deliver. Achieving excellence in surgical training is the theme of this year’s FST conference. Attendees can expect a practical emphasis on what constitutes excellence as a trainer, and will be able to take away ideas and concepts to put into practice.

Teodor Grantcharov is a name synonymous with surgical training. His drive toward improvement is attested to by a PubMed search that reveals more than 100 peer reviewed publications in this area.

As the meeting’s keynote speaker, Dr Grantcharov will give his insight into the current state of the art in surgical training and education, and we are grateful to him for travelling from St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto to join us, and for his support for the Faculty of Surgical Trainers.

Perhaps the highest accolade for a surgical trainer, and a clear badge of excellence, is the Silver Scalpel Award, nominated by the Association of Surgeons in Training. Mike Lavelle-Jones, our current College vice-president, received this award last year and his insight into what it takes as a trainer to reach this level of excellence will be invaluable. Another Silver Scalpel recipient, Gavin Pettigrew, will expand on what constitutes an excellent environment for providing great surgical training. Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is an international best-seller, and Chris Munsch will offer ‘Seven Habits of Successful Trainers’, which should provide a detailed map of the route to refining our performance as trainers.

The Shape of Training (SHoT) review has sparked considerable debate and controversy, but we don’t yet know how this may impact our training practice. Ian Eardley has been involved in looking at how the report might change surgical training, and will deliver a clear view of the implications of Professor David Greenaway’s report for future training.

Good feedback is vital to our trainees to help them to improve their performance and become independent and safe surgeons. Orthopaedic surgeon Sarah Gill is studying for a doctorate on which aspects of feedback are most effective in training, and she will share this knowledge with us.

Remaining within the orthopaedic fold, David Finlayson will challenge the meeting by asking ‘So you think you are a trainer?’ Using real-world examples, he will provide a thought-provoking and interactive session. This will be followed by a free paper session and the award of prizes for best poster and oral presentations. Abstract submission is open now for posters and oral presentations on all aspects of surgical education and training.

Craig McIlhenny
Surgical Director of the FST

Abstract submissions now open - click here to register.

Download the flyer here