ChM General Surgery

Based on the UK Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum, the programme provides the opportunity for trainees in General Surgery to select those advanced modules relevant to their declared subspecialty, and supports learning for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) examinations.

Trainees are taught by experienced tutors, all leading clinicians in their field, and have access to a large structured learning resource of educational material, including an unparalleled online library facility. Illustrative cases cover technical skills and procedures as well as core knowledge and clinical skills.

In the first year of the programme, compulsory core modules cover the basic elements of the subspecialties. Modules are taught and assessed using a clinical problem-based approach, supported by systems-based review of the course material.

In the second year, trainees undertake a tailored academic module that reflects their subspecialty interest. Academic modules (core and specialist) explore research and teaching methodology, as well as developing skills to ensure an ability to analyse published evidence and explore interactive and written clinical communication skills. Trainees are required to complete an academic critique in an appropriate subspecialty area of work undertaken during the two-year period of study such as that resulting from a publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

On completion of this programme, trainees will be able to:

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of their chosen surgical subspecialty, and be able to apply this knowledge to the systematic assessment and management of surgical patients in the elective, urgent and emergency clinical setting;
• Recognise the leadership contribution and responsibilities of the surgeon in the multidisciplinary management of complex surgical disease;
• Critically reflect upon day-to-day surgical practice in the context of recent advances, and engage in critical dialogue with peers and experts in other sub-specialties;
• Apply the general principles of clinical study design, ethics, and statistics to critically evaluate the scientific literature in surgical research, and make informed judgements on new and emerging issues in surgery;
• Exercise a high level of autonomy and initiative in professional activities at a level of independent surgical practice.