Journal of surgical education
-
Comparative Study
Surgical training: the impact of changes in curriculum and experience.
Craft specialties, such as surgery, rely on practice to acquire skill. Yet recent changes in training in the United Kingdom have decreased experience and altered the balance of curriculum content. Most recently, the European Working Time Directive has led to a reduction in working hours and expansion in the number of trainees. The impact that these changes have had on operative experience, patient management, communication, and teaching skills is unclear. This study aims to assess the effects of the changing curriculum and work patterns on the experience of trainees at senior house officer (SHO, equivalent to junior resident) level in general surgery. ⋯ Trainees are spending less time in surgery at the SHO level, and this is reflected in reported operative ability. The introduction of communication and teaching skills into the curriculum has had a perceived benefit. The reduction in working hours must be offset by implementing measures to maximize limited training opportunities. The potential implications of these changes in training and experience on patient outcomes remain to be determined.
-
Comparative Study
A deficiency in knowledge of basic principles of laparoscopy among attendees of an advanced laparoscopic surgery course.
Advanced laparoscopic courses serve as a comprehensive and popular Continuing Medical Education (CME) activity. Knowledge of basic laparoscopy is an assumed prerequisite for attendance at these courses. ⋯ Basic laparoscopic knowledge among the attendees of an advanced laparoscopic course is suboptimal. A review of basic principles of laparoscopy particularly pertaining to instrumentation and access should form part of these CME activities.
-
Report our implementation of a standardized handover process in a general surgery residency program. ⋯ The creation of a standardized template and protocol for patient handovers might eliminate communication failures. Encouraging residents to participate in this process can establish the groundwork for successful implementation of a standardized handover process. Integrating a continuous quality-improvement process into such an initiative can promote active participation of busy general surgery residents and lead to successful implementation of standard procedures.