Evaluating the delivery of trauma and orthopaedic education in UK medical schools: a national cross-sectional survey protocol (TENDON study).

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions account for up to one-third of general practice consultations and over one-fifth of emergency department attendances in the UK. Postpandemic, the elective orthopaedic surgery backlog remains one of the most substantial across surgical specialties. Despite this burden, undergraduate exposure to trauma and orthopaedics (T&O) remains limited and inconsistent. Most UK medical students receive only 2-3 weeks of T&O teaching, with up to 40% of foundation doctors feeling underprepared to manage MSK conditions. The Evaluation of Trauma and Orthopaedic Teaching in Medical Schools Nationally (TENDON Study) aims to evaluate the current state of undergraduate T&O education in UK medical schools from both student and educator perspectives.

Method

SUBMITTER: Nazar N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12781979 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature