Navigating Surgical Training Systems
Surgical training systems compared: 9–10 years from medical school in the UK and Australia against 5–6 elsewhere, and what each certificate actually certifies.
7 min read
Blog stream
Training & Career
Getting into orthopaedics, training pathways, fellowships, international routes and building a career.
96 articles, newest first.
Salary and Lifestyle Expectations in Orthopaedic Surgery
An honest, general look at what to expect from the lifestyle and earning potential of a career in orthopaedic surgery.
4 min read
Orthopaedic Surgery as a Second Career
What it takes to pursue orthopaedic surgery later in life as a second career, and the realities of the longer road.
5 min read
Switching to Orthopaedics from Another Specialty
How and when to make the switch into orthopaedic surgery from another specialty, and what it takes to do it well.
4 min read
International Medical Graduates: Routes Into Orthopaedic Surgery
The main routes for international medical graduates into orthopaedic surgery across the major training systems.
4 min read
Managing Up: Working Well With Your Consultants
How you work with your bosses shapes your training. Practical ways to manage up, earn trust, and get the most from your consultants.
3 min read
Choosing Courses and Conferences Worth Your Money
Courses and conferences cost real time and money. How to choose the ones that genuinely advance your training and career.
3 min read
Electives and Placements to Boost an Orthopaedic Application
How to choose electives and placements that genuinely strengthen an orthopaedic application and your own development.
4 min read
How to Build an Orthopaedic Portfolio Early
What goes into a competitive orthopaedic portfolio and how to build the evidence steadily, years before you apply.
4 min read
Diversity and Inclusion in Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedics has work to do on diversity. Why inclusion matters for patients and the profession, and what individuals can do.
3 min read
The Skills No Examiner Tests but Every Theatre Notices
Exams measure knowledge and technique. Careers are made and broken on the things no one examines — communication, reliability, and how you behave when it goes wrong.
3 min read
Foundation and Internship Years: Setting Up an Orthopaedic Career
How to use your foundation or internship years to lay strong foundations for an orthopaedic surgical career.
5 min read
Teaching Up: What Mentoring Juniors Teaches You
Mentoring those behind you sharpens your own practice. Why teaching juniors makes you a better surgeon, and how to do it well.
3 min read
How to Get Into Surgery from Medical School
A roadmap for medical students aiming at a surgical career — the experience, evidence and habits to build from year one.
5 min read
Social Media for Surgeons: Standards, Risks and Reputation
Social media for surgeons: what the GMC, AHPRA, BMA and AMA expect, patient images and consent, online reviews, and how to build a professional presence.
9 min read
Late-Career Transitions and Planning for Retirement
Winding down a surgical career deserves as much thought as starting one. How to plan late-career transitions and retirement well.
3 min read
How to Teach Juniors and Medical Students: A Trainer's Guide
How to teach juniors and medical students in surgery: the one-minute preceptor, Peyton's four steps, feedback, and becoming a GMC-recognised trainer.
7 min read
How to Get Orthopaedic Experience as a Medical Student
Practical ways for medical students to gain orthopaedic experience early — placements, theatre, research, societies and mentors.
4 min read
Building a Personal Learning System for a Surgical Career
The best surgeons never stop learning systematically. How to build a personal learning system that compounds over a whole career.
3 min read
Leadership for Surgical Trainees
Leadership starts long before you are a consultant. How trainees can lead well in theatre, on the ward and in their teams.
3 min read
Choosing Orthopaedics: The Pros and Cons of the Specialty
A balanced look at the rewards and the trade-offs of a career in orthopaedic surgery, to help you decide with eyes open.
4 min read
Orthopaedic Surgery vs Other Surgical Specialties: How to Choose
How orthopaedics compares with other surgical specialties on lifestyle, work and temperament, to help you choose well.
5 min read
How Competitive Is Orthopaedic Surgery?
An honest look at how competitive orthopaedic surgery is to get into, and how to make yourself a strong applicant.
5 min read
The Skills and Qualities of a Good Orthopaedic Surgeon
The traits that make a good orthopaedic surgeon — technical skill, judgement, resilience, communication and more.
5 min read