It’s November already ST3 applicants! And if you haven’t made yourself aware of how to score maximum points in the self-assessment for your T+O ST3 application, now is the time. Year on year the core point-scoring projects remain the same, however subtle differences tend to crop up.
What are the self-assessment changes this year?
Thankfully this year, there are really no major changes and the portfolio points you have been working hard towards, will gain you the points you expected it to. There is one change however and this is to the number of operations you have performed STS or STU on a patient for their neck of femur fracture.
Question 4
At the time of application, how many wholly completed operations for fracture of neck of femur have you completed which have been done either STS or STU? These must be recorded in a consultant validated logbook.
| Response | Score |
| 0 to 6 | 0 |
| 7 to 17 | 2 |
| 18 or more | 4 |
The good news is that you still have time to maximise points here if you work quickly. To gain maximum marks you need to have logged 18 or more procedures. So, if you are lacking those last few hemis, DHSs or nails, now is the time to get yourself into trauma theatre and get logging more procedures.
All in all, this one minor change is good news. If you have been through Core Surgical Training and have been subject to last minute changes in the portfolio scoring there, you already know how frustrating and disheartening that can be. For full details of what will score you points in your ST3 portfolio follow these links: