Abstract
Introduction
Implementation of the 80-hour work week has resulted in limitations on the hours available for resident education, creating a need for innovative approaches to teach surgical residents successfully. Herein we report the methods and results of an innovative didactic learning program at a large academic surgerical residency program.
Methods
Between 2004 and 2005, based on known principles of adult education and innovative learning techniques, a didactic learning program was instituted in a major academic surgery program. The course work consisted of a structured reading program using Schwartz’s Textbook of Surgery, with weekly testing and problem-based learning (PBL) groups led by surgical faculty. The residents’ progress was assessed by American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) training scores before and after program implementation. A resident survey was also conduced to assess residents’ attitudes toward the new program. Results were reported as a mean, and categoric variables were compared using a paired Student’s t-test.
Results
During the academic year of the structured reading program, the mean ABSITE score improved by 10% (P = 0.02) from the previous year. The postgraduate year 4 class had the largest change, with a score increase of 17% over the previous year’s performance (P = 0.02). Survey results demonstrated that 64% of the responders agreed that the small-group PBL was preferable for achieving educational goals. Furthermore, 89% of residents responded that the PBL groups improved interaction between residents and faculty members.
Conclusions
An innovative formal learning program based on a major surgical textbook with weekly testing and small group sessions can significantly improve surgical training in the modern era of work-hour restrictions. Furthermore, surgical trainees find this format to be innovative and useful for improving didactic teaching.
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Acknowledgements
The authors specifically thank the faculty who led the initial small-group sessions for making this program successful: Matt Carrick, MD, Frank Welsh, MD, Cynthia Corpron, MD, Peter Lin, MD, Hoang Pham, MD, Kathy Liscum, MD, and Bradford Scott, MD. In addition, we acknowledge the tremendous work and support by the staff of the Educational Office of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery: Natalee Newton, Terri Montayne, and Katie Whiteley.
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Nguyen, L., Brunicardi, F.C., DiBardino, D.J. et al. Education of the Modern Surgical Resident: Novel Approaches to Learning in the Era of the 80-Hour Workweek. World J. Surg. 30, 1120–1127 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-005-0038-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-005-0038-5