The e‐handover: applications for surgical training. (16th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hand, Fiona; Stirling, Aaron; Felle, Patrick; Conlon, Kevin; Ridgway, Paul
• Is Part Of: Clinical teacher. Volume 14:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 211
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2016-06-16
• Subjects: Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 610.711
• DOI: 10.1111/tct.12536
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-4971

Abstract

Summary: Background: Workplace‐based assessments introduced in part to compensate for the reduced 'hands on' experience of surgical trainees are now a compulsory facet of surgical training. Taking the form of 'tick box' exercises they largely focus on procedural competence. This work aimed to ascertain whether a standardised electronic handover could also be used as a surrogate marker of trainees' diagnostic skills. Methods: All data inputted by surgical trainees 'on call' were collected prospectively and saved in an encrypted database within the Department of Surgery. Presumptive diagnoses made by the admitting trainee over a 2–year time period were then compared with the discharge diagnosis as recorded on the hospital's computer system. Results: Seventeen surgical trainees were analysed over the study time period, with 936 patients requiring in‐patient admission suitable for inclusion. An improvement in trainees' diagnostic accuracy was noted over a 6–month period (p = 0.047). Further subgroup analysis demonstrated increased accuracy amongst trainees with general surgical posts as opposed to urology trainees (p = 0.046), and increased accuracy with increased workload (p = 0.042). Conclusion: The e–handover has real potential as an adjunct to established assessment tools currently in use and may provide the stimulus for valuable feedback to trainees. [Can a] standardised e‐handover also be used as a surrogate marker of trainees' diagnostic skills?