Individual learning plans foster self-directed learning skills and contribute to improved educational outcomes in the surgery clerkship

• Published in: The American journal of surgery Vol. 216; no. 1; pp. 160 - 166
• Main Authors: Kastenmeier, Andrew S., Redlich, Philip N., Fihn, Catherine, Treat, Robert, Chou, Raymond, Homel, Amy, Lewis, Brian D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2018; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Education; Independent study; Learning; Lifelong learning; Medical residencies; Medical student; Medical students; Outcomes; Self-directed learning; Skills; Students; Surgery; Surgery clerkship; Teaching methods; Lifelong learning; Self-directed learning; Surgery clerkship; Outcomes; Medical student
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.01.023

The Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is a newly implemented curricular element designed to foster self-directed learning (SDL) skills among medical students during our surgery clerkship. Our aim was to determine the impact of ILPs on educational outcomes and acquisition of SDL skills. Students were surveyed regarding the educational value of ILPs, their acquisition of SDL skills, and the impact of the surgery clerkship on fostering these skills. Mean scores for the NBME surgery subject exam (SSE) were compared before and after implementation of the ILP requirement. Students perceived the ILP requirement as having strong educational value. Mean scores for the SSE increased significantly in the year following ILP implementation (74.9 vs 76.6; p = .042; d = 0.21). Students reported successful acquisition and frequent utilization of SDL skills. SDL exercises, such as the ILP requirement, lead to improved education outcomes while fostering the acquisition of SDL skills. •Individual Learning Plans (ILP) address perceived knowledge gaps and foster self-directed learning skills.•Individual Learning Plans (ILP) support the LCME requirement for medical students to develop skills for lifelong learning.•Students perceive that Individual Learning Plans (ILP) have strong educational value.•The ILP requirement was successfully implemented on a surgery clerkship without requiring intensive resource allocation.•Overall, the ILP requirement has been well received and contributes to enhanced educational outcomes.