EP.TU.53Mark of Cain: lessons from a field hospital Boot Camp under COVID’s Cloak

COVID-19 restrictions have cursed and canceled most academic training events. Because of fears related to social distancing, centres normally housing >100 delegates now accommodate only 12. Aim To assess the feasibility of a multidisciplinary Core Surgical Trainee (CST) Boot camp training event at a UK field hospital. Method All CST1s within a single UK Statutory Education Body were invited to participate in a three-day Boot camp at the Dragon’s Heart Hospital, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, consisting of simulated, Operative and Non-Operative Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS). Primary outcome measures were; satisfaction and perceived competence using Likert scale (1-5). Results Attendees numbered 44 (median age 29 yr. 21 female, 23 male). Median satisfaction scores by domain were: Overall course satisfaction 4 (range 2-5), simulation skills 5 (3-5), lecture-based learning 4 (2-5), academic skills 4 (2-5), and NOTSS 5 (1-5). Levels of perceived confidence in performing simulated index procedures improved markedly (before median 2 (1-5) vs. after 4 (2-5), (p < 0.001). Free text comments reflected and praised the quality of staff commitment, enthusiasm, and in particular interactive workshops related to NOTSS. In contrast, resource limitations inherent to the marquee character of the venue (ambient temperature, IT limitations) received criticism. Conclusion COVID’s curse can be broken by creativity, enthusiasm, and engagement of translational multidisciplinary team leadership.