PTU-265 Improving education quality and attendance of a regionally delivered gastroenterology education programme

Introduction The 2010 competency based speciality-training curriculum for gastroenterology requires trainee's to obtain multiple learning objectives. To ensure these are met training programme directors and postgraduate deaneries need to implement changes in delivery of local education programmes. The aim of this study was to determine factors in the delivery of a locally organised and delivered gastroenterology teaching programme that have the greatest impact on improving educational quality and attendance. Methods All consultants and gastroenterology trainees within a deanery received a questionnaire evaluating the 2009–2010 competency based training programme. Responses were compared with data obtained evaluating a previous training programme between 2003 and 2009 designed around the 2003 gastroenterology curriculum involving 6-weekly, half day events at local hospitals organised by individual consultants. Significant interventions made to the new programme included a predetermined programme guide, whole day events, single venue, keynote speakers, continual professional development points, a local training website and increased trainee involvement in programme development. Results The majority (15/19) of respondents regarding the competency based training programme attended ≥50% or more of events, compared to only 7/24 in the 2003 curriculum based programme (p=0.001). Of the 11 trainee's in the region, a response rate of 73% was obtained with a significantly greater proportion (89%) stating that the competency based training programme met their training needs, compared to 42% surveyed on the 2003 curriculum based programme (p=0.001). Reasons for lack of attendance included insufficient time to cancel clinical commitments and poor educational value of the 2003 curriculum based programme. Consultant attendance at training meetings increased significantly following redesign of the programme, with 64% attending >50% of meetings compared 12% prior to instituting a competency based training programme (p=0.004). The three most important factors to increase attendance were full day meetings, a consistent venue and keynote speakers from outside of the region. Conclusion This longitudinal study is the first study to evaluate attendance and educational value of a competency based regional gastroenterology teaching programme. Despite increasing demand to provide service provision and restrictions on study leave allowance, implementation of simple measures as identified in this study may increase consultant attendance and educational quality of regionally organised teaching programmes. Competing interests None declared.