Activities per year
Abstract
Background: There is an increasing global interest in selection processes for candidates to surgical training. The aim of the present study is to compare selection processes to specialist surgeon training in the European Union (EU). A secondary goal is to provide guidance for evidence-based methods by a proposed minimum standard that would align countries within the EU. Methods: Publications and grey literature describing selection strategies were sought. Correspondence with Union Européenne des Médecins Specialists (UEMS) Section of Surgery delegates was undertaken to solicit current information on national selection processes. Content analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews with experienced Swedish surgeons on the selection process. Two field trips to Ireland, a country with a centralized selection process were conducted. Based on collated information typical cases of selection in a centralized and decentralized setting, Ireland and Sweden, are described and compared. Results: A multitude of methods for selection to surgical training programs were documented in the 27 investigated countries, ranging from locally run processes with unstructured interviews to national systems for selection of trainees with elaborate structured interviews, and non-technical and technical skills assessments. Associated with the difference between centralized and decentralized selection systems is whether surgical training is primarily governed by an employment or educational logic. Ireland had the most centralized and elaborate system, conducting a double selection process using evidence-based methods along an educational logic. On the opposite end of the scale Sweden has a decentralized, local selection process with a paucity of evidence-based methods, no national guidelines and operates along an employment logic, and Spain that rely solely on examination tests to rank candidates. Conclusion: The studied European countries all have different processes for selection of surgical trainees and the use of evidence-based methods for selection is variable despite similar educational systems. Selection in decentralized systems is currently often conducted non-transparent and subjectively. A suggested improvement towards an evidence-based framework for selection applicable in centralized and decentralized systems as well as educational and employer logics is suggested.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 363 |
Journal | BMC Medical Education |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 Dec 1 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Other Health Sciences
- Other Social Sciences
Free keywords
- Admission
- Assessment
- Residency
- Selection
- Specialist medical training
- Surgery
- Surgical education
- Surgical training
- Trainee
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Dive into the research topics of 'Different approaches to selection of surgical trainees in the European Union'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Activities
- 1 Supervision of PhD students
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Selektionsinstrument för bedömning och anställning av ST-läkare inom kirurgiska discipliner
Hagelsteen, K. (Joint first/primary/lead supervisor)
2020 May 1 → …Activity: Examination and supervision › Supervision of PhD students