This week I engaged in some education for myself. It is easy for Educational Supervisors to get wrapped up in the demands of ISCP & eportfolio for their trainees, yet neglect their own professional development which needs to cover the entire scope of their practice.
I was in Lyon with 6 other UK Hand & Wrist surgeons on an Advance Wrist Course. Trips like this are a great boost: the chance to talk with colleagues, share cases and trial kit in cadaveric labs. 
You might think that once you’ve got through training, that might be the end of collating certificates and clocking up courses – but it is only the beginning.
This summer, Consultant Appraisal expanded to cover Educational activity. Your trainers now need to demonstrate evidence of teaching & training so don’t be surprised if they (perhaps shyly) ask you for written feedback on their skills. Think of it as a quid pro quo for ALL those WBAs I know you are showering them with.
To help with this, I am launching early this year’s Surgical TOTY 2016 (that’s Trainer of the Year). 
Clearly this cannot be a popularity contest as some excellent trainers may only have a single Trainee to supervise this term so I would like you to email me a Citation.
This should be a paragraph on why you think this person should be nominated with an example of good practice. I had a few submissions last year that said things like ‘because he is lovely’ which of course is nice to hear but not quite what I was after.
All those cited are shortlisted and the Surgical TOTY is chosen on the quality of the work cited. I then anonymise the citation (to spare any blushes) and forward it to the Trainer to add to their Appraisal Portfolio.
The closing date in December 31st.
Forthcoming Attractions
A few of you have asked me about Ophthalmology as a career. There is an event taking place on Saturday 3rd December at @RoySocMed which make be of interest: the Annual Student & Trainee Ophthalmic Conference 
Surgical Tutor's Homepage 