HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Higgins, R Articles by Whiteman, S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Higgins, R Articles by Whiteman, S

Meeting the non-clinical education and training needs of new consultants

¹ Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Postgraduate Deanery, Leicester, UK
² Department of Postgraduate Medicine and Dentistry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr R Higgins
LNR Postgraduate Deanery, Lakeside House, 4 Smith Way, Grove Park, Leicester LE19 1SS, UK; richard.higgins{at}lnrdeanery.nhs.uk

This review highlights the non-clinical training needs of new consultants, identifying strategies for meeting these needs. Non-clinical activities are integral to the consultant’s role and senior clinicians need training in these areas. Concerns over the quantity and quality of current provision are compounded by changes the European Working Time Directive and Modernising Medical Careers initiative will bring. Accelerated progression to senior level and reduction in time for training suggest a pressing need to respond to the needs of new consultants. Ad hoc initiatives in a range of healthcare contexts offer examples of how training needs may be met, including mentoring and continuing professional development schemes. A multi-professional strategy, incorporating elements of higher professional education in general practice and other NHS initiatives (particularly management/leadership training), may offer an appropriate framework within which to capitalise on existing opportunities. There are, however, resource implications that need to be addressed.

Abbreviations: EWTD, European Working Time Directive; MMC, Modernising Medical Careers; CPD, continuing professional development; HPE, higher professional education; SpR, specialist registrar; VTS, vocational training scheme; SHO, senior house officer; PDP, professional development plan

Keywords: consultant; non-clinical skills; training needs; training provision