20 The Junior Doctor Changeover Effect – Does It Exist in General Surgery?

Abstract Introduction Junior doctor changeover has been perceived as a period of increased risk to patients. However, there is paucity contemporary evidence into this ‘Changeover Effect’. The aim study was evaluate the presence an adverse patient effect during periods junior changeover. Method Data were requested on all patients aged 18 years or older admitted acutely under General Surgery in North England between 2005-16. This included characteristics, diagnoses, co-morbidities, procedure codes, mortality and length stay. Patients if they ‘changeover week’; defined first day followed by six subsequent days. For trainees (FY1-CT2), Wednesday August, December April each year. higher surgical (ST3-8) October. Another week, four weeks prior, chosen historical comparator. Results 61714 study. Patient characteristics did not vary cohorts. There no difference 30-day non-changeover groups (2.5% vs. 2.6%, p = 0.280) stay (5.3 vs 5.2, 0.613). Changeover week predictor (OR 1.06, 0.302) following multivariate adjustment. Further analysis specialty trainee periods, August October respectively, showed significant for measured outcomes. Conclusions retrospective cohort provides that effect’ does exist acute general admissions UK.