ePoster
Presentation Description
Institution: Northern Health - Victoria, Australia
Purpose:
Less than full-time (LTFT) training is increasingly utilised within general surgery training programs, offering greater flexibility for trainees. While prior research has focused on the experiences of trainees themselves, this study aims to explore the perspectives of colleagues who work alongside part-time general surgery trainees.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among consultants, fellows, registrars, and residents within a general surgery training network at the Austin Northern training hub, examining experiences of working with part-time trainees over a five-year period. Respondents rated their overall experience using a 0–10 visual analogue scale, converted to a 100-point scale, with a 10-point difference considered clinically significant. Qualitative free-text responses were also collected.
Results:
Twenty responses were obtained: consultants (40%), registrars (35%), fellows (20%), and residents (5%). Thirteen respondents provided overall experience ratings (mean 51.2; range 5–92), indicating neutral to slightly positive experiences overall. Consultants reported the most positive perceptions (mean 69.0), while registrars (33.5) and fellows (27.5) reported more negative experiences, commonly citing challenges related to workload distribution and continuity of care. The single resident respondent reported a positive experience (63.0). Considerable variability was observed across responses, reflecting differing impacts by seniority. Qualitative themes included improved trainee well-being and retention, alongside concerns regarding rostering complexity, patient continuity, and perceived inequity in workload.
Conclusion:
Colleagues’ experiences of working with LTFT general surgery trainees are varied, with consultants generally reporting more positive perceptions than registrars and fellows. Addressing challenges through tailored support, structured rostering, and clear communication may help optimise team functioning while preserving the benefits of flexible training pathways within general surgery training programs.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Dr Tess Howard - , Mr Matthew Ng - , Ms Grace Chew - , Mr Michael Issac -
