Editorial
The non-medical workforce and its role in surgical training: Consensus recommendations by the Association of Surgeons in Training

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2016.09.090Get rights and content
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Abstract

Changes in the delivery of the healthcare structure have led to the expansion of the non-medical workforce (NMW). The non-medical practitioner in surgery (a healthcare professional without a medical degree who undertakes specialist training) is a valuable addition to a surgical firm. However, there are a number of challenges regarding the successful widespread implementation of this role. This paper outlines a number of these concerns, and makes recommendations to aid the realisation of the non-medical practitioner as a normal part of the surgical team. In summary, the Association of Surgeons in Training welcomes the development of the non-medical workforce as part of the surgical team in order to promote enhanced patient care and improved surgical training opportunities. However, establishing a workforce of independent/semi-independent practitioners who compete for the same training opportunities as surgeons in training may threaten the UK surgical training system, and therefore the care of our future patients.

Keywords

Non-medical work force
Surgical training
Surgery
Education
Surgical care practitioners

Abbreviations

ASiT
Association of Surgeons in Training
CCT
Certificate of Completion of Training
CT
Core Trainee
FY
Foundation Doctor
ISCP
Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme
NHS
National Health Service
NMW
Non-Medical Workforce
Str
Specialist Trainee

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