Preparing medical students to enter surgery residencies
Received 29 June 2009; received in revised form 24 August 2009
Abstract
Background
This study was designed to develop and evaluate an integrated cognitive and proficiency-based skills curriculum based on American College of Surgeons Graduate Medical Education Committee (ACGME) competencies to prepare students for surgery internships.
Methods
Course content included cadaver dissections, didactic sessions, team training, and training in clinical and technical skills. Using previously validated skills curricula (12 open and 5 Fundamental Laparoscopic Surgery [FLS] tasks), trainees underwent pretest, self-practice to proficiency, and post-test. Surveys regarding confidence levels and skills were administered.
Results
Mean course evaluation score was 4.5 ± .6 on a 5-point Likert scale. Trainees (n = 9) achieved proficiency on open tasks and FLS tasks 2–5. The mean confidence self-rating on 51 skills increased on a 5-point Likert scale from 2.4 ± .6 to 4.0 ± .6 (P < .001).
Conclusions
This integrated curriculum did improve confidence levels, and skills proficiency can be achieved in an abbreviated time. The anticipated result would be enhanced baseline abilities for internship.
Department of Surgery, Southwestern Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9156, USA
ABSTRACT