A census of general surgery consultants in England and Wales: implications for the current and future surgical workforce

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to describe the composition of the current general surgical consultant body in England and Wales and quantify levels of inequality within it as well as describe future workforce challenges.

METHODS

This is an observational study of all general surgical departments in England and Wales. Consultant general surgeons were identified and data regarding their gender, country of undergraduate medical education, subspecialty and private practice were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 2,682 consultant general surgeons in England and Wales identified for this study, just 17% are women, with gender inequality most marked in university teaching hospitals and among certain subspecialties. Almost 40% of consultants did not obtain their primary undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom and there are considerably fewer surgeons who studied abroad in university teaching hospitals. Over 40% of current general surgical consultants have been qualified for more than three decades and there is no equivalent sized group of younger consultants.

CONCLUSIONS

There remains considerable gender and racial inequality in the consultant general surgical workforce, with pockets of a lack of diversity within university or teaching hospital surgical departments and some subspecialties. The proportion of surgeons in their fourth decade of clinical practice represents the largest group of current practising consultants, which points towards an impending workforce crisis should senior clinicians seek to reduce activity or consider taking early retirement.

Understanding allergies and their treatment

Allergies are common and although their effects are often minor, they can be life threatening. The authors discuss the background to allergy and give guidance for prevention and management.

Reviewing the literature: a guide for students

This article aims to help students develop the skills of searching, analysing and critiquing the literature so that they can make sense of the vast amount of written material they will have to read, both while they are studying and throughout their careers.

Teaching practical skills: a guide for preceptors

Concern has been expressed that recently qualified nurses may be deficient in clinical skills. In this article the authors explore psychomotor skills learning and suggest strategies to support preceptors who have responsibility for developing such skills in students. The advice should prove helpful to clinical staff who are involved in teaching clinical skills to nursing students.

The nurse teacher as Action Researcher

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