Technical skill improvement with surgical preparatory courses: What advantages are reflected in residency?

• Published in: The American journal of surgery Vol. 216; no. 1; pp. 155 - 159
• Main Authors: Green, Courtney A., Huang, Emily, Zhao, Nina W., O'Sullivan, Patricia S., Kim, Edward, Chern, Hueylan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2018; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Clinical Competence; Computer Simulation; Core curriculum; Curricula; Curriculum; Education, Medical, Graduate - standards; Educational Measurement; Feedback; General Surgery - education; Humans; Internship and Residency - methods; Internships; Learning; Medical personnel; Medical schools; Medical students; Motor skill learning; Peers; Preparatory course; Retrospective Studies; Skills; Students; Studies; Surgery; Surgical bootcamp; Surgical skill retention; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sustainability; Technical gains; Surgical skill retention; Technical gains; Preparatory course; Surgical bootcamp
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.10.037

Sustainability of skill acquisition gained from graduating medical student (GMS) preparatory courses remains uncertain. GMS skills were assessed before (T1) and after a preparatory course (T2) and then again 2 (T3) and 4 (T4) months into residency and compared to surgical interns without such a course. In April, GMS took the preparatory course. In July–August all interns participated in a basic skills curriculum. Learners completed four technical exercises pre/post each course. Three surgeons scored performances. GMS scores were compared across the 4 time points. Control interns were compared at T3 and T4. Thirty-two interns completed all pre/post course assessments (T3 and T4); seven of those were GMSs. GMS scores increased from 74.5%(T1) to 94.2%(T2) (p < 0.001), and were maintained into residency. Control interns also improved (65.8%(T3) to 91.8%(T4), p < 0.001). GMS-interns scored higher starting residency compared to control interns (T3, 89.08% vs 65.03%, p < 0.001). These findings support existing literature and demonstrate that students maintain their skills into residency. Preparatory courses provide a head start. Without such course, interns require a steep learning curve. •Technical skills of preparatory course participants were compared to peers without such course.•Graduating medical student course participants' technical skills were measured at 4 time points.•Course participants show maintained technical gains into residency.•Learners with preparatory courses start resident training technically ahead of their peers.