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Different approaches to selection of surgical trainees in the European Union
- Source :
- BMC Medical Education, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2021), BMC Medical Education
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- BMC, 2021.
-
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.
- Subjects :
- Knowledge management
020205 medical informatics
Process (engineering)
Computer science
Surgical training
Admission
02 engineering and technology
Assessment
Education
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
media_common.cataloged_instance
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
European Union
European union
Selection
Selection (genetic algorithm)
media_common
Surgical education
Sweden
Medical education
LC8-6691
business.industry
Research
General Medicine
Grey literature
Special aspects of education
Residency
Europe
Trainee
Content analysis
Spain
Scale (social sciences)
Structured interview
TRIPS architecture
Medicine
Surgery
Clinical Competence
business
Specialist medical training
Ireland
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14726920
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- BMC Medical Education
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....c641f545408f769aaea3ef53b342da9e