The current state of undergraduate burn training within the UK: a national collaborative study

期刊论文
发表日期：

2024年2月23日

查看全文

Umar Rehman,
Garikai Kungwengwe,
Elena Whiteman,
Daniel Markeson,
Alana Atkinson Amber Dhoot,
Salma Neves,
Mathew George,
Aaliyah Abimbola,
Georgia Curry,
Reddin Ahmed,
Shireen Gohari,
Siraj Yasser Abualnaja,
Louise De Galbert,
Manisha Teji,
Pavan Marwaha,
Raian Jaibaji,
Kate Silva,
Oluwatobi Adegboye,
Mariya George,
Anna Chiara Corriero,
Anthony Siu,
Rebecca Hand,
Luke Mattey,
Sofyan Al Shdefat,
Alexandra Mackenzie

摘要

Background

In the UK, it is estimated that there are 250,000 burn injuries each year. Appropriate management of burns requires targeted education for physicians managing burns within emergency units, primary care, and specialised hospital units. Prior research has shown a deficit in exposure to plastic surgery and burn-related teaching during undergraduate studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of undergraduate knowledge, confidence, and teaching in burns within multiple cohorts of penultimate and final-year medical students based across medical schools within the UK.

Methods

We utilised a validated online questionnaire, disseminated to medical students in their penultimate and final years, via the UK Plastics Research Collaborative’s local university leads, employing a well-known survey platform (Google Forms).

Results

Out of the 950 responses received from 10 medical schools, 34% (n = 323) reported no burn-related instruction until the current academic year. Overall, 63.8% of students were not confident in assessing total body surface burns, 57.3% were not confident in initiating burn first aid management, and 69.5% were not confident in calculating fluid requirements for resuscitation. Moreover, 84.2% felt that they had not received adequate teaching in burns during their undergraduate training.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a lack of undergraduate exposure, teaching, and confidence in the basics of burn assessment and management. It calls for enhanced training at the undergraduate level, potentially incorporating simulation training to boost confidence in burn management.

Level of evidence: Not ratable.