The Inadequacy of Musculoskeletal Knowledge
After Foundation Training in the United Kingdom

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   J Bone and Joint Surgery Br 2009 (Nov); 91 (11): 1413–1418

Al-Nammari SS, James BK, Ramachandran M

Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics,
2nd Floor, John Harrison House,
The Royal London Hospital,
Whitechapel Road,
London E1 1BB, UK

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The aim of this study was to determine whether the foundation programme for junior doctors, implemented across the United Kingdom in 2005, provides adequate training in musculoskeletal medicine. We recruited 112 doctors on completion of their foundation programme and assessed them using the Freedman and Bernstein musculoskeletal examination tool. Only 8.9% passed the assessment. Those with exposure to orthopaedics, with a career interest in orthopaedics, and who felt that they had gained adequate exposure to musculoskeletal medicine obtained significantly higher scores. Those interested in general practice as a career obtained significantly lower scores. Only 15% had any exposure to orthopaedics during the foundation programme and only 13% felt they had adequate exposure to musculoskeletal medicine. The foundation programme currently provides inadequate training in musculoskeletal medicine. The quality and quantity of exposure to musculoskeletal medicine during the foundation programme must be improved.

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