Abstract

The African Working Time Directive: a comparison of logbooks

Author(s): Mr Saqib Noor,Mr James Aird,Mr Tahseen Chaudhry,Mr Tim Nunn,Dr Andrew Hogg,Dr Saqib Noor

Introduction: There are current concerns regarding the implementation of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) and the quality and quantity of surgical training in the UK. Some UK junior surgical trainees are travelling abroad to gain surgical experience in a new environment. This study highlights the difference between the surgical logbooks of four UK orthopaedic trainees who worked in Ngwelezane Hospital, South Africa, and compared the training to the national average of orthopaedic trainees in the UK. Results: On average, a trainee in South Africa is involved in 448 orthopaedic trauma operations in one year, compared to a total of 841 operations for trainees completing six years in the UK. Trainees in South Africa performed more operations, including external fixation, intramedullary nailing and tendon repairs, in one year than a trainee in the UK performed in a total of six years. Conclusion: This study highlights that there are significant opportunities for training abroad in certain recognised institutions, and with concerns over the quality and quantity of training in the UK, recognised training abroad maybe a valid consideration.