Bridging the gap--vocational trainee to senior house officer: a new induction course.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this course were: to develop an induction course for vocational trainees taking up first SHO posts; to enable new dental SHOs to have enhanced skills from the beginning of the post; to create safe practitioners capable of performing SHO duties; and to assess whether such a course is perceived to be beneficial by the SHOs, their educational supervisors and professional colleagues from medicine, dentistry and nursing.


METHODS
A 5-day intensive, interactive course was developed and directed by a consultant maxillofacial surgeon, with contributions from a range of professional colleagues to teach appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes.


METHODS
Trainees completing the VT programme; due to commence SHO posts in the Yorkshire Region.


METHODS
Detailed daily and end of course questionnaires were completed. A post course; in-work evaluation was sought from the trainees, educational supervisors and a range of professional colleagues about the validity of the course.


RESULTS
Daily and end of course evaluations were positive about the perceived importance and relevance of the course. After 6 weeks in post the SHOs continued to place high value on the course as a preparation for hospital practice. Feedback from the supervisors and colleagues indicated that the SHOs were performing well, but the influence of the course on performance could not be determined in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
It was possible to design and deliver an appropriate induction course, which appeared to meet most of the needs of new dental SHOs. Feedback indicated the need for modification of some aspects of the course.
Stark
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Senior Fellow in Medical Education, Department of Medical Education, University of Sheffield, Coleridge House, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU.
Mitchell
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DA
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003253:Consultants; D003798:Dental Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D004497:Education, Dental; D004739:England; D005179:Faculty, Dental; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods