title: The effects of the European Working Time Directive on surgical training: the basic surgical trainee's perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  On the 1 August 2009, the implementation of European Working Time Directive became European law and was implemented in Galway University Hospital (GUH).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to ascertain the opinion of the 25 surgical SHOs in GUH on the effect of the implementation of an EWTD compliant roster had on the quality of their training.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was circulated to all 25 surgical SHOs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two (88%) SHOs report a reduction in the quality of their training. 18 (72%) report a reduction in the development of their operative skills. The SHOs believed the EWTD Rotas would encourage Irish graduates to train abroad.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical training faces a challenge with the implementation of EWTD Rotas. Major changes need to be made to the surgical training structure to train surgeons to the highest standard and to retain Irish-trained surgeons in the Irish healthcare system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Republic of Ireland. Drbriankelly@hotmail.com
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Curtin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corcoran
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011787:Quality of Health Care