A simplified logbook template was created to help trainees and trainers monitor progress toward achieving the indicative numbers necessary for certification. This tool helps focus on areas where experience is lacking, providing useful feedback during the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP). Trainees reported that the template was helpful in monitoring their progress and ensuring their training met curriculum standards.
1
Introduction
Surgical trainees acquire skills at different rates. Repeated practice, self-reflection, and feedback are crucial for competence development. Although virtual reality, simulation, and cadaveric surgery offer additional training opportunities, performing real procedures and meeting curriculum-based indicative numbers are essential for obtaining a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) [ , ] , .
The new curriculum divides procedures into two sections [ ]. Section 1 outlines oral and maxillofacial surgeries that trainees must perform independently or with supervision. Section 2 includes procedures in which trainees must gain experience, even if they are not expected to perform them independently. Meeting these indicative numbers is necessary to demonstrate the breadth and depth of surgical training.
While the eLogbook provides a detailed record of a trainee’s experience, it can be difficult to identify specific areas where experience is lacking [ ]. To simplify this, a streamlined template was designed to help trainees assess their progress and trainers to summarise this information during ARCP assessments ( Fig. 1 ).
2
Method
A trainer in the Thames Valley Deanery created a simplified template based on the surgical curriculum. The template was shared with all trainees in the deanery, who filled it out and returned it to their trainer.
The trainer would review and monitor trainees’ progress, assessing their performance against the indicative numbers relevant to their specific training year.
The results were summarised and presented to the ARCP panel ( Fig. 2 ). This allowed trainers to provide focussed feedback, helping trainees target areas needing improvement.
