Description
In this VTT transcript, Oliver Adebayo introduces himself as the new BOTA president and addresses the audience with gratitude towards the BOA and certain professors for the opportunity to speak. He presents his talk titled "#NoTrainingTodayNoSurgeonsTomorrow," referencing a statement regarding the challenges faced by surgical trainees during the COVID recovery amid a lack of elective surgeries and training opportunities.
Over the past 18 months, trainees have suffered from significant disruptions, leading to concerns about extending their training periods and the implications of a new curriculum. Oliver emphasizes the emotional and professional anxieties experienced by trainees due to reduced training opportunities and the competitiveness of fellowships amidst travel restrictions.
He presents the alarming statistic that elective surgery numbers are down 50% over the past year, calling for a collective effort to address these issues. He suggests that trainees and trainers must work together to optimize training, improve wellbeing, and create structured training opportunities while being adaptable to the changing healthcare environment.
Oliver outlines the importance of self-assessment, individualized training prescriptions, and proactive identification of training opportunities. He encourages mutual support among trainees and proposes that trainers consider new frameworks for evaluating and facilitating trainee involvement in surgical cases. Finally, he concludes with a call to action for all stakeholders in surgical training to support recovery efforts, reinforcing the need for structured educational opportunities and well-planned training initiatives.