The Future of Surgical Training – How Can We Improve?

On Tuesday 2 November, The Faculty of Surgical Trainers joint-hosted an event, The Future of Surgical Training – How Can We Improve? in partnership with The Royal Society of Medicine (RSM). The event attracted over 90 delegates in person and over 40 online with a mixture of attendees ranging from trainees to general surgeons and consultants.

There were presentations from organisations including Health Education England and the main purpose was to discuss the current status and the future of surgical training within the UK. RCSEd President, Professor Michael Griffin OBE opened the conference alongside RSM Surgical Section President, Mr Joe Ellul.

FST Director, Mr David O’Regan gave an imaginative presentation on Improving Surgical Training – What Needs to Change? Are Trainers Adequately Supported? He used a potato as an analogy – a healthy plant results in a healthy tuber. There is much more to growing potatoes than meets the eye. He spoke on the ‘Five Stages of Growing Potatoes’, likening the tuber to that of a trainee and the need to go beyond osmosis of knowledge to the importance of nurturing the individual from its foundation stages to ensure it grows to become a competent surgeon. Likewise, a potato needs a warm and protected environment and attention at each stage of its development to ensure it becomes good produce. The ‘consult-plant’ itself needs the right ‘political’ climate and investment to ensure that the supply of ‘trainee – tubers’ is fit for the patient plate.

FST were pleased to be part of this event through presenting and exhibiting what the Faculty has on offer and to inspire an existing and future generation of surgical trainers.  

A video of Mr O'Regan's presentation is available to watch here.