The key areas targeted for more detailed analysis in the 2024 round are listed below.
These reports were also considered by the relevant educational committees in the College.
Reports
Subspecialty Training
Summary: The aim of this report is to provide a detailed analysis of the responses provided by the subspecialty trainees and compare those to senior trainees of similar level/grade (ST6/7). 2024 areas of Interest for Subspecialty Trainees are e-Portfolio, Curriculum Demands and Work-Life Balance; Training and Access to Rare Procedures: Enhancing Subspecialty Skills in 2024; Psychological Safety in the Workplace: Bullying and Undermining Behaviour.
Authors: Miss Christina Uwins, Subspecialty Fellow in Gynaecological Oncology, HEE South London; Supervision by: Dr Srividhya Sankaran, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consultant, HEE South London; Miss Michelle Mackintosh, Consultant Surgeon Gynaecological Oncology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Advanced Training (now Special Interest Training)
Summary: This report analyses trainees’ answers to the Advanced Training questions of TEF 2024. This year there is a focus on the 3 most popular ATSM choices and a detailed analysis of the barriers to their completion. Potential effects of the move to Curriculum 2024 will be analysed and engagement with the research APM is also summarised.
Authors: Dr Stella Seppings, ST7 trainee, Wales. Supervision by: Dr Lesley Curry, ATSM/SITM Director, South East Scotland
Differential Attainment
Summary: This report analyses differential attainment stating that across medicine, there is evidence that those from different ethnic and social backgrounds are less likely to achieve certain benchmarks of success in postgraduate training, such as passing postgraduate exams. These differences suggest systemic problems with medical training. Whilst there has been increasing interest in the area, with the GMC commissioning packages of research to map differential attainment, it is recognised that the reasons for differential attainment are complex and likely remain poorly understood.
Authors: Dr Ekaette Umoessien, ST2 trainee HEE East of Midlands region; Dr Anna Harvey Bluemel, Academic ST2 trainee HEE North East region; Dr Kapnieabasi Umana, ST4 trainee; Dr Salma Alzubair ST4 trainee. Supervision by: Dr Leena Maddock Khan, Consultant O&G and Training Programme Director, East Midlands.
Educational Supervision
Summary: This report states that effective educational supervision is essential for good training. Not only do educational supervisors provide clinical guidance, but they also nurture supervisees' career development and overall well-being. The GMC has published guidance on supervision, emphasising the importance of fostering a supportive learning environment where trainees feel they can discuss issues and concerns openly and ensuring there are sufficient encounters to provide personalised feedback to enhance professional development.
Authors: Dr Emily Slane, ST7 trainee, HEE North East; Dr Nathanael Yong, ST7 trainee, HEE Kent, Surrey, & Sussex. Supervision by: Dr Elisabeth Peregrine, Consultant in Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Gynaecological Training
Summary: This report states that un recent years, Training Evaluation Form (TEF) reports have highlighted significant gaps and deficits in gynaecological and ultrasound training, contributing to the decision to launch the new 2024 RCOG curriculum. These issues have raised concerns about the consistency and quality of training across the UK. This report will focus on analysing trainee’s experiences in gynaecology clinic, clinical supervision, operating lists, simulation and gynaecological scan training based on feedback from the 2024 TEF survey.
Authors: Dr Aya Abusheikha, ST2 trainee, HEE Kent, Surrey & Sussex; Dr Lydia Akinola, ST5 trainee HEE Thames Valley; Dr Hannah Pierce, ST6 trainee, HEE Wessex. Supervision by: Dr Fiona Clarke Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, East Lancashire NHS Trust
Obstetric Training including Ultrasound
Summary: This report highlights that high quality training in Obstetrics is of fundamental importance to our specialty. The GMC National Training Survey 2024 results published earlier this year showed that half of Obstetrics & Gynaecology trainees (49%) were exhausted in the morning at the thought of another day at work. 62% rated the intensity of their work by day as very heavy / heavy compared to 43% of all trainees. This rating of intensity of workload was second highest of all specialties demonstrating the necessity of ensuring that trainee feedback is considered and improvements made to optimise trainees’ experience of training.
Authors: Dr Myint Win, ST5 trainee, HEE East Midlands; Dr Michelle Jie, ST6 trainee, HEE Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Dr Cordelia Yarborough, ST5 trainee, HEE Yorkshire & Humber; Dr Katie Paul, ST6 trainee, NHS Education for Scotland; Dr Charline Bradshaw, ST6 trainee, HEE Kent, Surrey, Sussex. Supervision by: Dr Kirstyn Brogan, Consultant Obstetrician, NHS Education for Scotland.
Wellbeing and Burnout
Summary: This report highlights that (O&G) is a high-stress field with significant burnout rates. Burnout is defined as “a state of exhaustion” In 2020, the General Medical Council (GMC) identified that 12% of O&G trainees leave the specialty within three years of achieving their certificate of completion of training (CCT), the highest of any specialty. Attrition is, therefore, a real challenge for the O&G workforce.
Authors: Dr Selina Sim, ST5 trainee, HEE Kent, Surrey & Sussex; Dr Momina Zulfeen, ST3 trainee, HEE Yorkshire & Humber; Hannah Manwell, RCOG Workforce Coordinator.
Workplace Behaviours
Summary: This report highlights the challenges faced by the O&G workforce are well documented. Doctors are working in a time when the NHS is under intense pressures with staff-shortages, increased patient complexity, poor working conditions and staff satisfaction and poor workplace behaviours and culture. In addition, numerous reports on the retention of the medical workforce reiterate the need to improve working conditions including addressing bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Authors: Dr Abigail Hyland, ST5 trainee, HEE Yorkshire & Humber; Dr Mariyam Ali, ST5 trainee, HEE Yorkshire & Humber; Dr Sarah Barnes, ST6 trainee, HEE Kent, Surrey & Sussex.