Ward rounds: missed learning opportunities in diagnostic changes?

Background: The introduction of the European Working Time Directive has resulted in the on-call general surgery junior doctor regularly missing consultant-led post-take ward rounds (PTWRs). This study aimed to determine the frequency with which the admission diagnosis was changed on the PTWR, and thus whether an educational opportunity for trainees is missed.

Methods: Prospective observational study of consecutive admissions to a general surgery department over a 4-week period was conducted.