24 October 2018
The second BSSH Trainees’ Day was held on the day before the BSSH Autumn Scientific Meeting. This event provides an opportunity for hand surgery-orientated trainees to deliver oral presentations of free papers of their work, in competition for a prize and a presentation slot in the main meeting. The winner therefore delivers two national oral presentations – at the Trainees’ Day and at the main meeting, and also receives a prize.
The programme includes talks on topics of relevance to trainees. This year, the presentations covered the breadth of working options for trainees in their careers, such as paediatric hand surgery, trauma hand surgery, academic hand surgery, less than full time hand surgery. This was designed to dovetail with last year’s programme that focussed on achieving linear career progression – advice on securing fellowships, developing clinical interests, and getting the dream consultant job.
There were lectures covering private practice and medicolegal work by experienced surgeons – David Warwick and Peter Burge, providing insight into these areas that is hard to get in standard training.
The keynote presentation was a fascinating discussion of innovation in hand surgery by Henk Giele.
The day ended with a quiz, where trainees pitted themselves against the speakers and members of council, with Preetham Kodumuri winning the prize for top trainee. It drew to a close with a drinks reception with BSSH Council members.
There was a good attendance of over 40 trainees, and the day is set up to be economical (£40 to register, including coffees, lunch, and drinks reception), and timings that allow attendees to arrive on the day (noon start).
It is a great event for surgeons of all career stages to fine-tune career planning, network with trainees and senior surgeons, and present work. It makes the BSSH Scientific Meeting effectively a 3-day event including travel time.
The next Trainees’ Day will be held jointly with BAHT before the combined Spring Scientific Meeting, on Wednesday 24th April, in Swansea. The title of the day will be:
“What they don’t tell you in the books…”
Please encourage your trainees to submit abstracts and attend.
View Other News Articles