Computer‐based logbook for surgical registrars

BACKGROUND: The documentation and monitoring of operative experience is an important component of advanced surgical training. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) monitors the adequacy of training by use of the surgical logbook. The logbook has been a paper-based record that does not permit longitudinal evaluation of the progress of an individual trainee or comparison of different surgical units. METHODS: An electronic logbook has been developed in FileMaker Pro version 5.03 (FileMaker, Santa Clara, California, USA). RESULTS: The electronic logbook has been employed for 1 year and has been used on both Windows and Macintosh platforms without difficulty. Appropriate summaries of the training experience were provided for the RACS at the conclusion of each rotation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a relational database for logbook purposes provides trainees with a convenient and versatile record of their experience while meeting RACS requirements for documentation of surgical experience.