EP.TU.505Does a foundation interim year one post improve confidence in general surgery in a tertiary centre?

Aims 1. Understand the confidence levels of current foundation year one (FY1) doctors. 2. Understand whether a foundation interim year one (FiY1) post improves confidence. Methods FY1s were surveyed throughout August – December 2020. Nine questions used Likert scales (1 to 5: not at all confident to very confident) over some common general surgical themes. Data was initially inputted using Google Docs and analysed in Microsoft Excel. Results 28.6% (30/105) of FY1s completed the survey. 20% (6/30) did not undertake a FiY1 post but 80% (24/30) did. Confidence levels were similar between FY1s who had a FiY1 post and those that did not for: dealing with acute general surgical patients, non-specific abdominal pain, appendicitis and prescribing fluids for maintenance as well as resuscitation. Confidence levels were higher for FY1s who did not have a FiY1 post compared to those that did in managing those with hepatobiliary disease. Confidence levels were lower for FY1s who did not have a FiY1 post compared to those that did in scrubbing for theatre, speaking to a family when a patient is dying and speaking to a patient when their diagnosis is unknown. Conclusions FY1s who have had a FiY1 post in a tertiary centre have more confidence in most areas but not all. This data shows the value of the FiY1 post however work needs to be done to improve the experience to the role.