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INTRODUCTION: In recent years there has been a trend towards centralisation of services for general paediatric surgery in the United Kingdom. Fewer District General Hospitals supply provision of paediatric surgery, placing a strain on Specialist Centres. The cause behind the decline is unclear but lack of interest from general surgical trainees may be a contributing factor. A survey was conducted across current higher surgical trainees to review this. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A short online survey (Typeform) was sent nationally to higher general surgical trainees. The results were analysed using SPSS Version 21. RESULTS: 121 trainees responded to the survey. Only 29% trainees expressed an interest in pursuing general paediatric surgery as part of their future chosen specialty. The main concerns of trainees in regards to paediatric surgery was a limited training time, perception that a paediatric consultant would be unwilling to train a general surgical trainee, and a concern that ISCP requirements were unattainable in six months. There was no significant difference in opinion between those who had/not completed a paediatric surgical placement. CONCLUSION: There is a growing disinterest of general surgical trainees to pursue paediatric surgery within their future chosen specialty. This is resulting in fewer consultants being qualified to provide the service within a District General Hospital. Trainees often have negative preconceived ideas about the specialty, which may be modified by a positive experience within the specialty.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.ijsu.2018.06.008

Type

Journal article

Journal

Int J Surg

Publication Date

08/2018

Volume

56

Pages

57 - 60

Keywords

Adult, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Hospitals, District, Hospitals, General, Humans, Internship and Residency, Pediatrics, Specialties, Surgical, Surgeons, Surveys and Questionnaires, United Kingdom