Thank them trainees! TTT workshops have positive influence on trainers
Medical education, feedback, appraisal, proactive attitude, burn-out, six thinking hats
Abstract
European Network of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology requested of Standing Committee for Training and Assessment at the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology that trainers are at least minimally trained. Following this request the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) organized Training the trainers (TTT) workshops for European trainers. Two of our senior trainers attended these RCOG workshops and subsequently organized TTT workshops at our institution on a voluntary basis. Till February 2012, 145 partic- ipants from more than 20 different medical specialties attended 25 one-day workshops. In basic workshops tools for proper feedback, teaching practical skills, assessment and appraisal were demonstrated. In advanced TTT2 workshops the topics were: difficult appraisal, teaching on models, reminder on professionalism, how to fight burn- out, how to use 6 thinking hats tool etc. Participants were given autonomy, road to mastery, and have seen purpose in TTT. They all acknowledged the need of workshops and expressed wishes to attend TTT workshops at least once every two years. As participants were from different specialties, personal communication among different depart- ments in a big hospital increased. Trainers were enthusiastic because workshops are held in a relaxed but interactive atmosphere. They discovered hidden potentials they themselves had. Problems in training, which they thought were only theirs, were found to be general. With the aid of appropriate thinking tools and by being proactive, ideas for better training are pouring out. TTT also greatly helps self-improvement of trainers.
