A detailed analysis of theatre training activity in a UK teaching hospital

We examined the placement of anaesthetists in our department over a 2 yr pe riod. Data were collected from an in-theatre system to provide details of c aseload and supervision for 34 856 operations. There was wide variation bet ween anaesthetic sub-specialties with overall supervision levels of 35% of cases for senior house officers (SHOs) and 32% for specialist registrars (S pRs). The consultant data showed the size and areas of teaching reserve in the department. We then examined individual logbooks in order to validate o ur data, and departmental rotas to put these data into perspective with pre vious attempts to quantify trainee supervision. Supervision data derived fr om the rota allocations showed that 86% of SHO lists and 62% of SpR lists w ere scheduled to be supervised. This study has described our training activ ity and facilitated departmental changes, as well as highlighting the need for great care in interpreting trainee supervision data acquired from diffe rent sources, particularly when comparisons are being made.