Example of a Programme Director’s Global Objective - Core
Congratulations on your appointment and welcome to the <Region> Core Surgical Training Programme.
The training programme has been designed to help you make full use of the educational methods available and to
help you build upon your existing knowledge and ability.
Before your training begins you are invited to an induction day designed to give you all the information you need to
plan and manage your training programme and to answer any questions you may have. It is very important that you
attend this event. To get you started, please look at the ISCP Trainee Step by Step Guide. You should work
through the guide before you attend the induction day so that you get the best out of the day’s events.
During your induction day you will have the opportunity to meet your Assigned Educational Supervisor (AES),
Clinical Supervisors (CSs) and other trainers who will be responsible for training you as well as other trainees and
local staff. You will also receive information about the ISCP and a copy of your timetable, rota, and teaching
programme. Throughout your training you can also refer to the School of Surgery events board for Key Dates,
Key Contacts and other information.
In each placement you will report to the AES responsible for supporting, guiding and monitoring your progress.
Supervision within your post is designed to ensure the safety of the patient, effective practice and professional
conduct. At all times you must place the well-being and safety of patients above all other considerations. You must
work at a level commensurate with your experience and competence and this includes seeking advice and
consulting with colleagues as appropriate.
You will be working to the Core Surgical Training Syllabus 2013 and you will be expected to have completed the
vast majority of these competencies by the end of your CT2 year. Not only will you need all the generic
competencies (modules 1-9) you will also need to work to the Professional Behaviour and Leadership Skills
syllabus. In addition, the specialty specific topics of your chosen specialty can be identified within the specialty
section of the Core curriculum. By the time of the May ARCP CT1s must have at least 40% of all the Core
Competencies signed off to allow satisfactory progress (50% by the end of the year) and CT2s must have 80% by
the ARCP (with over 95% by the end of the year).
You will be expected to arrange regular appraisal meetings with your AES in a private environment to discuss your
progress against your Learning Agreement. In these meetings your AES will review your portfolio with you and by
the end you will need to ensure that all your learning objectives have been satisfied. Your AES will provide you with
opportunities to comment on your training and discuss any problems you or they have identified. Please also refer
to the ISCP Roles and Responsibilities.
Each placement will provide you with opportunities to learn in the workplace, as outlined in the JCST Quality
Indicators. You should undertake workplace-based assessment (WBA) throughout your placement. Their purpose
is to provide you with feedback and you should use them frequently to reflect on your practice and demonstrate
progression. You must also keep your portfolio assessments and evidence and logbook up to date. WBAs that are
completed or uploaded only before reviews will not be considered sufficient evidence of learning. Please discuss
with your AES the methods, settings, assessors, frequency and intensity required for your learning.
Reflection on your practice will be a very important part of your learning because it will enable you to explore with
rigour, the complexities and underpinning elements of your actions in order that you can refine and improve your
surgical practice. Writing reflectively adds more to the day to day verbal communication by deepening
understanding about your performance and offers a record for later review as well as a reference point for shared
discussion. You should include your reflective writing as part of your Case Based Discussions (CBDs).
You will also have the opportunity to learn with peers through study groups and formal postgraduate teaching and
discussion sessions; you must attend all teaching events. You are expected to undertake personal study in addition
to formal and informal teaching, using the developmental feedback you get from your trainers to focus further
research and practice. Courses and other learning may sometimes be taken as study leave.
The timeline below provides a guide to good engagement with the programme:
Version 1 ISCP August 2014
In the first month of each placement:

Attend your programme induction day

Set up your Learning Agreement and undertake Objective Setting with your AES. You may also wish to draw
up a a personal development plan ahead of the meeting to take along with you.

The MRCS examination is essential for ST3 so please plan appropriately to gain all parts of the exam well in
time for application to this grade.

Start to use some WBAs. The scores are less important than the feedback. You should encourage all your
assessors to feedback in writing as well as verbally, including suggesting ways in which you can meet your
learning needs and to validate assessments in good time. Aim to have completed WBAs throughout the period
with different trainers in different settings. One of each must have been assessed by a consultant:
1 CEX
1 DOPS / PBA
1 MSF (initiate this in placement 1)

Keep your logbook and portfolio are up to date

Ensure that your ATLS/APLS is current
By the mid-point of each placement

Complete the Learning Agreement Interim Review with your AES

Undertake more WBAs, at least:
2 CBDs (including reflective writing)
2 CEXs
2 DOPS / PBA
1 MSF (complete in placement 1 including a meeting with your AES)
1 Quality Improvement project e.g. Audit (at least 1 in progress)
Others as directed by your AES

Keep your logbook and portfolio up to date

Attend formal and informal teaching sessions as applicable
During the last month of each placement

Complete the Learning Agreement Final Review with your AES

Undertake a range of WBAs, at least:
4 CBDs (including reflective writing)
4 CEXs
4 DOPS / PBA
1 Teaching
1 Quality Improvement project e.g. Audit (at least 1 which closes the loop)
Others as directed by your AES

Ensure your logbook / portfolio is up to date
At the end of the training year

Ensure your logbook and portfolio are up to date

Complete the ISCP trainee survey
Please let me know of any problems or concerns, particularly if they can't be resolved by your AES, CS or local
Surgical Tutor.
I look forward to meeting you on the induction day and hope you find the training programme helpful and
rewarding.
<Name>
Programme Director Core Surgical Training
Version 1 ISCP August 2014