The British journal of surgery
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Certification of completion of training in general surgery in the UK requires demonstration of competence in index operations by means of three level 4 competence consultant-validated procedure-based assessments (PBAs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the trajectory of operative learning curves related to PBA performance levels for curriculum-defined indicative operations with respect to numbers performed and training time. ⋯ Significant learning curve gradient variance was observed, with discrepancies between expected indicative operative numbers and the point at which competence was judged to have been achieved. Numbers of index operations to achieve certification of completion of training warrant further examination.
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Since 2003, care for patients with oesophageal cancer has been centralized in a few dedicated centres in Denmark. The aim of this study was to assess changes in the treatment and outcome of patients registered in a nationwide database. ⋯ Indicators of quality of care have improved since the centralization of oesophageal cancer treatment in Denmark.