The 2024 ‘Surgical Bootcamp’ was held for the 12th time at the National Surgical and Clinical Skills Centre for this year’s new cohort of 80 surgical trainees. This intensive course was created to immerse surgical trainees in the technical and non-technical skills needed as a surgeon.

Taking place from 19 June to 5 July, new core surgical trainees embarked in a 3-week long ‘Surgical Bootcamp’ programme with 26 trainees attending each three-day session. Launched in 2013. the programme was developed by RCSI based on feedback from consultant surgeons and surgical trainees and is designed to better prepare trainees for their early clinical rotations in surgical training journey commencing on 8 July 2024.

This year’s programme was supported by over 40 faculty from across the range of surgical specialities and emergency medicine led by Ms Dara O’Keeffe, Dr Farrah-Hani Imran and Professor Eva Doherty. Administrative support was provided by the Core Surgical Training and Education team with technical support from RCSI’s Simulation team.

Ms Dara O’Keeffe, Programme Director of the Surgical Bootcamp programme, RCSI, said: “Bootcamp 2024 has been a huge success. 80 trainees attended three days hands-on skills training in groups of approximately 26 across three weeks. This is an innovative and practical programme delivered by the team at Surgical Affairs, the Simulation team and our consultant surgeon trainers who every year continue to demonstrate their commitment and enthusiasm.

Technical skills such as suturing, excision of skin lesions, bowel anastomosis and laparoscopic skills, to name a few, were taught by experienced surgical faculty in a high pupil-to-teacher ratio. 

Non-technical skills including communication for informed consent, teamwork and crisis management were also taught using interactive discussion sessions and high-fidelity simulation. The format of surgical bootcamp ensures close feedback and guidance as these trainees learn new skills essential to surgical practice.

All sessions were delivered in the state-of-the-art training facility at 26 York Street, with online work provided pre and post course to reinforce the learning experienced on the face-to-face days.

RCSI will increase core surgical training numbers from 80 to 100 trainees from 2025, reflecting workforce demands across the healthcare system. The successful running of the annual Surgical Bootcamp programme builds the surgical foundations for trainees and prepares them for their clinical rotations.