Strategic analysis of the surgical internship in Sudan

Abstract

Background: The internship period is internationally recognized the prerequisite official essential training period for the medical graduates to get registered in the local licensing body; in Sudan being the Sudan Medical Council. The evaluation of this important period was not studied before in Sudan.
Objectives: To evaluate the performance of house-officers as reflected by their activities and opinions of their supervisors.
Methodology: A prospective qualitative study in the period May 2011 through June 2011. The data was collected from 246 house-officers. Their activities, duties as formulated by their seniors and supervisors together with the relevant aspects of the working environment and their aspirations
were noted.
Results: A total of 106 (53%) were trained in surgical units having seven or less peers. 118(59%) have worked in surgical units under supervision of surgical registrars and consultants. 157 (78.5%) had duties once or more/week. 129 (64.5%) house-surgeons had regular seminars and tutorials. 163 (81.5%) gained experience in wound suturing. 177 (88.5%) house-surgeons were exposed to clinical diagnoses and management of cases of acute abdomen but, 134 (67%) were able to perform various numbers of appendicectomies. 88(44%) of house-officers had a chance to open or close a vertical midline laparotomy wounds and 140 (70%) had chance to apply a plaster of Paris

Conclusion: The overall performance of house-surgeons in Sudan as reflected by their activities and opinions is good. However, protocols and guidelines of practice, structure of the training should be made clear before starting the surgical internship.