Management Station 11
Instructions for the station
You have 5 minutes to go through this scenario.
These scenarios work best when used as a pair. One person can act as the examiner and the other as the candidate.
Candidate Instructions
You are the CT2 on General Surgery and have been asked to produce and coordinate a rota. The previous rota was a COVID emergency rota.
Examiner Instructions
This scenario can be attempted in pairs or individually. The candidate has 5 minutes for this whole scenario. Prompts are provided in the boxes below to encourage the candidate to finish each question on time.
Questions
Click each tab to reveal the information
How would you approach this situation?
How would you approach this situation?
Prompts
Encourage to follow a structured answer here. Prompt the candidates along each category if they are struggling for time or for answers.
Seek information
First it is important to understand what the expectations/requirements of training are for all members of the team. Often the SHO rota for surgical firms consist of GP trainees, F2s and core surgical trainees. F2s may require 1/2 half a day off per week for teaching, GP trainees may have to attend clinics and their weekly teaching off site. As a core surgical trainee you are also required to attend theatre and clinic sessions.
You also need to understand how many SHOs are on the rota and what the minimum staffing/on call commitments are for the job.
Patient safety
When designing a new rota it is important that you consider patient safety. It is essential that you ensure minimum staffing on the ward. In addition, the rota should be within BMA guidelines to prevent staff burnout.
Initiative
I would start off by arranging a meeting with the SHOs and also invite the consultants on the firm. I would then present to them my initial draft of the rota and welcome comments or suggested changes.
Escalate and support
I would discuss rota creation with any previous rota coordinators. In addition, I would discuss the role with my educational supervisor. It may also be possible to get time to develop the rota in order to maintain a work-life balance.
Reflection
Upon introduction of the rota I would continue to welcome feedback and reflect/improve the rota.
Click each tab to reveal the information
Within teams there is an increasing role of nurses/physicians assistants do you think this is a benefit or danger to the surgical profession?
Within teams there is an increasing role of nurses/physicians assistants do you think this is a benefit or danger to the surgical profession?
Prompts
Example answer
“I think that they can help support doctors
I don’t think that they should replace trainees within theatre as this can limit training opportunities.
However, I have worked with a number of excellent specialist nurses who are able to support trainees as they rotate to the department, provide continuity in a department and can drive quality improvement.”
Click each tab to reveal the information
Why are SHOs unhappy?
Why are SHOs unhappy?
Prompts
Tendency towards service provision especially true during COVID
No time to attend theatre/clinics/audits
Lack of formal teaching