The surgical curriculum has been designed around four broad areas, which are common to all the surgical specialties:
- Syllabus - what trainees are expected to know, and be able to do, in the various stages of their training.
- Teaching and learning - how the content is communicated and developed, including the methods by which trainees are supervised.
- Assessment and feedback - how the attainment of outcomes are measured/judged with formative feedback to support learning.
- Training systems and resources - how the educational programme is organised, recorded and quality assured.
In order to promote high quality and safe care of surgical patients, the curriculum specifies the parameters of knowledge, clinical skills, technical skills, professional behaviour and leadership skills that are considered necessary to ensure patient safety throughout the training process and specifically at the end of training. The curriculum therefore provides the framework for surgeons to develop their skills and judgement and a commitment to lifelong learning in line with the service they provide.