Authors: Liz Nguyen F Charles Brunicardi Daniel J DiBardino Bradford G Scott Samir S Awad Ruth L Bush Mary L Brandt
Publish Date: 2006/05/10
Volume: 30, Issue: 6, Pages: 1120-1127
Abstract
Implementation of the 80hour 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 programBetween 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 problembased learning PBL groups led by surgical faculty The residents’ progress was assessed by American Board of Surgery InTraining 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 ttestDuring the academic year of the structured reading program the mean ABSITE score improved by 10 P = 002 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 = 002 Survey results demonstrated that 64 of the responders agreed that the smallgroup PBL was preferable for achieving educational goals Furthermore 89 of residents responded that the PBL groups improved interaction between residents and faculty membersAn 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 workhour restrictions Furthermore surgical trainees find this format to be innovative and useful for improving didactic teachingThe authors specifically thank the faculty who led the initial smallgroup 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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