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The road to consultancy: an epidemiological study

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Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Modern medical and surgical training pathways have developed globally in response to changing expectations and requirements for trainees.

Aims

To determine the demographic, educational, and training characteristics of consultants in a model 4 teaching hospital, and to evaluate the requirements met by consultant physicians and surgeons prior to their appointment to consultancy.

Method

A single-centre study conducted by prospectively distributing written questionnaires. Data was collected and analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS.

Results

This questionnaire was offered to 166 consultants, 110 of whom responded (66.0%). The vast majority were Irish (91.8%) and 70.9% male. The mean age to appointment was 35.7 ± 2.6 years. Radiology was the specialty with the youngest mean age at appointment: 34.4 ± 2.6 years, while surgery had the oldest: 36.7 ± 2.7 (P = 0.035). Overall, 80.9% trained via Higher Specialist Training (HST) schemes (89/110) and 68.2% completed a higher degree (75/110). Geriatric medicine and dermatology had the highest rate of completed higher degrees (100.0%, 3/3 and 3/3 respectively), followed by surgeons (92.3%; 24/26) and cardiologists (71.4%; 5/7). The overall duration of HST varied greatly; the mean surgical, medical and anaesthesiology durations were 6.7 ± 1.8 years, 6.6 ± 1.7 years, and 5.3 ± 2.0 years. A total of 75.4% of consultants completed fellowship (83/110).

Conclusion

This study highlights variations in postgraduate Irish medical training pathways and discrepancies in training requirements expected in each specialty. The establishment of a modern guideline for young trainees working towards consultancy may be imperative in ensuring trainees have insight into training requirements expected in their specialty.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Nadia Van Den Berg

  2. Department of Surgery, Galway University Hospital, Galway, H91YR71, Republic of Ireland

    Nadia Van Den Berg, Matthew G. Davey, Martin S. Davey, Mel Corbett, Laura Fahy, Aisling Hogan & Myles Joyce

Authors
  1. Nadia Van Den Berg
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  2. Matthew G. Davey
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  3. Martin S. Davey
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  4. Mel Corbett
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  5. Laura Fahy
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  6. Aisling Hogan
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  7. Myles Joyce
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matthew G. Davey.

Ethics declarations

Local ethical approval was obtained from the Galway Clinical Research Ethics Committee prior to the commencement of this study. Ethical standards were met in conducting this study.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Van Den Berg, N., Davey, M.G., Davey, M.S. et al. The road to consultancy: an epidemiological study. Ir J Med Sci 190, 955–963 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-020-02391-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-020-02391-4

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