Background: Resident doctors, including foundation, core, and higher surgical trainees, rotate at varying times throughout the year. Although no evidence suggests that resident changeover adversely affects surgical patient safety, the quality of induction can significantly influence clinician preparedness and satisfaction. The Royal College of Surgeons of England has recommended inclusion of educational induction as a means of enhancing surgical training. In response, a quality improvement project was undertaken to optimise the induction process for resident doctors and ACPs within the General Surgery department at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

Methods: Two PDSA cycles were conducted between October and December 2024. An initial survey assessed perceived preparedness, confidence in performing key clinical tasks, and gathered recommendations for improvement. A comprehensive General Surgery Induction Guide was then developed, reviewed by senior colleagues, and distributed in November 2024. A follow-up survey guided subsequent revisions, with an updated version released in December 2024.

Results: Only 10% of respondents felt adequately prepared by the previous induction, while all agreed that an induction guide would be beneficial. Confidence in general clinical tasks exceeded that in surgery-specific tasks, e.g. 70% of respondents were confident to request bloods vs 10% were confident to book into emergency theatres. Following implementation of the guide, confidence improved across all 20 assessed tasks, particularly in specialty-specific areas. Feedback described the guide as “excellent and comprehensive” and “a crucial aid for induction”.

Conclusions: Implementation of a structured induction guide substantially enhanced clinician confidence and ongoing review will ensure its continued relevance and alignment with evolving clinical practices.