Abstract
Teaching programmes for Orthopaedic Trainees take place in every region of the UK. The aim of this study was to survey Trainees from each region to compare levels of satisfaction.
A questionnaire was sent out electronically in June 2009, and was open to collect responses until December 2009. It was sent to all British Orthopaedic Trainees Association (BOTA) members to assess satisfaction and to ask for their comments and suggestions.
There were 449 responses, out of a potential 1200 (37%) from across all 26 regions. Overall 71% were satisfied or highly satisfied with the organisation of their programme, and 70% were satisfied or highly satisfied with the content. However, on analysis of the data looking at individual regions, there were marked differences in satisfaction levels. In three regions over 50% of Trainees were very satisfied with their teaching, in contrast to one region where 67% were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied.
199 Trainees (44%) made comments, which fell into themes of ‘how’ the teaching is organised, ‘what’ is taught, and by ‘whom’. Topics frequently mentioned were relevance to the FRCS exam, importance of clinical case presentations and involvement of Consultants.
Teaching Programmes are run differently in each region and there are contrasting levels of satisfaction amongst Trainees. The feedback from the Trainees in each region was fed back to the relevant Training Programme Director, and suggestions were made on how to improve these Teaching Programmes for the future.
