Core Surgical Training (2016)

Module 1: Basic science knowledge relevant to surgical practice (These can all be contextualised within the list of presenting symptoms and conditions outlined in module 2)

Anatomy
Physiology
Pharmacology - in particular safe prescribing
Pathological principles underlying system specific pathology
Microbiology
Diagnostic and interventional radiology

Module 2: Common surgical conditions

To assess and initiate investigation and management of common surgical conditions that may confront any patient whilst under the care of surgeons, irrespective of their specialty
To have sufficient understanding of these conditions so as to know what and to whom to refer in such a way that an insightful discussion may take place with colleagues who will be involved in the definitive management of these conditions

This defines the scope and depth of the topics in the generality of clinical surgery required of any surgeon irrespective of their ST3 defined specialty

Module 3: Basic surgical skills

To prepare oneself for surgery
To administer appropriate local anaesthetic agents safely
To handle surgical instruments safely
To handle tissues safely
To incise and close superficial tissues accurately
To tie secure knots
To safely use surgical diathermy
To achieve haemostasis of superficial vessels
To use a suitable surgical drain appropriately
To assist helpfully, even when the operation is not familiar
To understand the principles of anastomosis
To understand the principles of endoscopy

Module 4: The principles of assessment and management of the surgical patient

To assess the surgical patient
To elicit a history that is relevant, concise, accurate and appropriate to the patient's problem
To produce timely, complete and legible clinical records
To assess the patient adequately prior to operation and manage any pre-operative problems appropriately
To propose and initiate surgical or non-surgical management as appropriate
To take informed consent for straightforward cases

Module 5: Peri-operative care of the surgical patient

To assess and manage preoperative risk
To manage patient care in the peri-operative period
To conduct safe surgery in the operating theatre environment
To assess and manage bleeding including the use of blood products
To care for the patient in the post-operative period including the assessment of common complications
To assess, plan and manage post-operative fluid balance
To assess and plan perioperative nutritional management

Module 6: Assessment and early treatment of the patient with trauma

To safely assess the multiply injured patient
To safely assess and initiate management of patients with:
traumatic skin and soft tissue injury
chest trauma
a head injury
a spinal cord injury
abdominal and urogenital trauma
vascular trauma
a single or multiple fractures or dislocations
burns

Module 7: Surgical care of the paediatric patient

To assess and manage children with surgical problems, understanding the similarities and differences from adult surgical patients
To understand common issues of child protection and to take action as appropriate

Module 8: Management of the dying patient

Ability to manage the dying patient appropriately.
To understand consent and ethical issues in patients certified DNAR (do not attempt resuscitation)
Palliative Care: Good management of the dying patient in consultation with the palliative care team.

Module 9: Organ and tissue transplantation

To understand the principles of organ and tissue transplantation
To assess brain stem death and understand its relevance to continued life support and organ donation

Module 10: Health promotion

General aspects
Obesity
Dementia
Exercise and physical fitness

Professional behaviour and leadership skills (Please see Professional behaviour and leadership skills in the tab above)

To provide good clinical care
To be a good communicator
To teach and to train
To keep up to date and know how to analyse data
To understand and manage people and resources within the health environment
To promote good health
To understand and apply the principles of risk management and clinical governance
To understand the ethical and legal obligations of a surgeon
To maintain personal probity including recording their training performance and progress honestly and accurately