The effect of trainee involvement on procedure and list times: A statistical analysis with discussion of current issues affecting orthopaedic training in UK

IntroductionTraining surgeons adds time to the duration of procedures and operation lists. This is not accounted for in the finance received to perform the operation by the hospital in the Payment by Results (PbR) system.1Purpose of the studyTo find out:1.The effect on the duration of a procedure and the number of procedures performed on the list when a trainee is involved.2.The percentage of orthopaedic cases with trainee involvement.3.The effect of European working time directive (EWTD) on the trainee involvement in cases from theatre data in 2008 versus logbook data from 2004 – 2008.MethodsData was taken from two different sources. Firstly, the Operating Room Information System (ORMIS) and patient operation notes. The second source was a consultant's logbook comprising 227 primary total knee replacements performed between 2004 and 2008.ResultsThe data produced trends suggesting trainees took longer to perform procedures than consultants. In orthopaedic operations, 92% of cases had trainees present and of these 17% of cases were performed by trainees in 2008. Before the implementation of the EWTD, trainees performed more procedures when compared with current logbook data (38% versus 17% cases). Time taken by a trainee to perform the procedure under direct consultant supervision was significantly higher in comparison to procedures performed by a consultant alone (P = <0.0001). Analysing the ORMIS and logbook data gave similar conclusions.Discussion & ConclusionHospitals should be given financial recognition for training. In this debate, we should remain focused on the provision of quality training for the next generation of surgeons.