The surgical care practitioner: a critical analysis

The introduction of a Surgical Care Practitioner training programme to an acute National Health Service trust and an exploration of the interrelationships between Surgical Care Practitioners, their trainers and surgical trainees

This study aimed to explore the impact of the introduction of a Surgical Care Practitioner programme on junior surgical training within an acute National Health Service trust. A qualitative methodology of semi-structured interviews was used to gather information from eight Surgical Care Practitioners, eight surgical trainees and eight consultant grade trainers. The authors found an overall positive and mutually beneficial outcome of the training programme, with surgical trainees unanimous that the presence of the Surgical Care Practitioners freed them up for more time to be spent in theatre, as well as acting as highly experienced surgical assistants when the trainees were operating on their own. This study found significant mutual benefits to surgical trainees and Surgical Care Practitioners, as well as smoother running of the wards, theatres and the clinical firms through the addition of a highly skilled and versatile Surgical Care Practitioner workforce.

Surgical care practitioners: an audit across the surgical specialties

INTRODUCTION

The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS), when devising their curriculum for surgical care practitioners (SCPs), aimed to provide a level of training to produce a practitioner able to work across the surgical patient's journey, providing care to, arguably, an advanced level. This audit planned to examine the reality of this.

METHOD

SCPs from a closed group, on the Facebook social media platform were invited to complete an online questionnaire about their role as an SCP.

RESULTS

A total of 92 responses were gathered from across the surgical specialty SCP community and from around the UK. Data were collected on the breakdown of the SCP's role and working practices.

CONCLUSION

The data collected demonstrated the multifunctional nature of the SCP and their ability to work at a level as envisioned by the RCS curriculum.

The presence of a Surgical Care Practitioner in the perioperative team is of benefit both to the patient and the consultant-led extended surgical team

Non-medically qualified professionals have progressively advanced and developed in line with the country's constantly evolving health care system. Recently, increasing hospital activity, underfunding in health care and a falling number of doctors have left the NHS perpetually underdoctored, underfunded and overstretched. As the current health care climate demands these 'non-doctors' to demonstrate competent knowledge and skill in providing safe and effective care, this paper discusses limitations, the scope of practice as well as the benefits the Surgical Care Practitioner provides to the modern extended surgical team, and most importantly - the patients under their care.

From working hours' restrictions to professional identity: The development of the surgical care practitioner role

This article describes how restrictions to working hours have encouraged the expansion of the surgical care practitioner role. It also discusses how this role has evolved and the identity that has been formed in the context of interprofessional surgical education.