CAREER IN PLASTIC SURGERY 

FOUNDATION

      Conferences and Courses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This section covers the key points about conferences, presentation and prizes and courses. Courses help to develop the necessary skills required for a surgical trainee. Furthermore, it enhances your CV and demonstrates specialty commitment in the area - which is an important component of your portfolio. There are plenty of courses available and they are provided by different societies and companies. However, attending conferences and courses can be expensive and time consuming, as these events always take place in different venues (additional travelling and accommodation costs). In 2012, a survey regarding courses was sent out to medical students and foundation doctors - and 46% of 226 trainees had spent more than £1500 on courses. Therefore, we need to be strategic on when and what course to apply for. Attending a course too early in your training may be disadvantageous, because you may forget the acquired skills and knowledge - therefore choosing the right time to go is pertinent. (1)   

 

Conferences:

 

• ASiT: Annual conference 

• ASGBI: International Surgical Congress

• RCSeng: Annual conference

• Society of Academic & Research Surgery: Annual Meeting 

• National Surgical Symposium: Annual Meeting

• The British Burn Association: Annual Meeting

 

Presentation and Prizes: 

 

• ASiT: Their annual conference accepts posters and short paper presentation and prize 

• Royal Society of Medicine: Adrain Tanner Prize (Case report and presentation) 

• ASGBI: Their congress has opportunity to present and win prizes - more competitive but prestigeous 

• RCSeng: Awards a few research fellowships annualy

 

Recommended courses:

 

Basic essential courses:

• Basic Surgical Skills Course

• Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient

• ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) 

• ALS (Advance Life Support)

• Train the Trainer course

 

Please refer to the CSRNO portfolio checklist below for a summary of the portfolio scoring system in regards to courses and conferences.