Deficiencies persist in the experience of UK vascular trainees: a survey of Rouleaux Club members.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the training experience of the current United Kingdom (UK) vascular trainees.


METHODS
A Web-based questionnaire was administered to 217 members of the Rouleaux Club, which represents UK vascular and endovascular trainees, between May and June 2011.


RESULTS
A total of 153 trainees (71% response rate) completed the survey; 52% were in posts that do not offer endovascular training, 88% performed <10 peripheral angiograms, and 67% performed part or all of <10 endovascular aneurysm repairs in the last year. Half had no access to formal ultrasound training; 85% believe that vascular access will play a role in their future practice, but 49% performed no vascular access procedures in the past year. No experience of endovenous laser, radiofrequency ablation, or foam sclerotherapy was reported by 33%, 49%, and 46%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Trainee experience is insufficient for a modern specialist practice. Separate specialty training in the United Kingdom must address these deficiencies.
The Rouleaux Club, UK.
Alan
A
Karthikesalingam
Pauline
P
Buxton
Conor
C
Marron
Olufemi A
OA
Oshin
James R H
JR
Scurr
Michael
M
Wall
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency; D015642:Radiology, Interventional / Q000193:education; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D006113:United Kingdom; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*