Abstract
To examine surgeon supervision in orthopaedic trauma in Australia.
An Australia-wide cross-sectional survey was performed using a mass electronic mail-out distributed to members of the Australian Orthopaedic Association. Rates of supervision for six common operations (tibial nailing, femoral nailing, hip hemiarthroplasty, hip fracture fixation, ankle fracture fixation, paediatric supracondylar fracture). Other factors recorded included; payment type, hospital type, state, seniority, theatre availability, and trauma load. Responses were tabulated and analysed using SAS software.
21.9% of surgeons completed the survey, out of 739 surgeons who were sent the e-mail invitation. Univariate analysis showed increased supervision to be associated with; more junior consultants, regional and rural hospitals, state (NSW and Victoria), and method of payment (fee for service). However, multivariate analysis showed that fee for service payment (compared to sessional payment) was the only factor significantly associated with increased supervision for all operations surveyed.
Higher remuneration for surgeons may increase supervision rates of trainees.
The abstracts were prepared by David AF Morgan. Correspondence should be addressed to him at davidafmorgan@aoa.org.au
Declaration of interest: a
