National Training Surveys close with record response rates

The latest National Training Surveys have closed with record responses.

This year, 64,000 trainees and trainers have taken part. The surveys, which started four years ago, are invaluable in providing evidence for detailed evaluation of postgraduate medical education and training across the UK. 

Nearly 47,000 trainees (88 per cent) and over 17,000 trainers completed the surveys with the biggest rise coming from consultant trainers; over 4,400 responses more than last year. These responses will help the GMC in ensuring high standards of education and training – and also the delivery of high quality care for patients now and in the future.

Paul Buckley, Director of Education at the GMC said:

'The GMC works extremely hard to ensure we have high quality medical education and training in the UK. This can only happen with continuous feedback from those that matter most and the National Training Surveys allow trainers and trainees to have their voices heard.”

John Smith, Chair of the Surveys Working Group which oversees the development of the National Training Surveys said:

“Colleagues in Postgraduate Deaneries and NHS Local Education Providers, as well as the National Training Surveys team are to be congratulated for the improved response rate this year. The surveys are well recognised both nationally and internationally as important tools to assess and improve training while being used in conjunction with other sources of information.”

“In the future the surveys are likely to be extended, for example to seek the views of wider groups of doctors.”

The National Training Surveys are supported by the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans (COPMeD). Mike Watson, Chair of COPMeD said:

“The survey returns show a further improvement this year.  Refinements that have been incorporated each year have resulted in a very valuable data set that will provide information for both deanery Quality Management processes and the GMC, and help direct improvements in the quality of medical training.”

Trainees, along with trainers have also been asked about the European Working Time Regulation and whether there are any relationships between compliance and the perceived quality of educational experiences.

The results from this year’s surveys will be published in The National Key Findings report at the GMC’s Education Conference on 12 October 2010.  Deaneries will be able to view survey reports online from August 2010.

The National Training Surveys are now hosted by the GMC following the merger of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) with the GMC on 1 April 2010.

For more information about the surveys visit www.gmc-uk.org/education/postgraduate/surveys.asp

ENDS