Journal of surgical education
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Comparative Study
The utility of the ABS in-training examination (ABSITE) score forms: percent correct and percentile score in the assessment of surgical residents.
The American Board of Surgery (ABS) provides program directors with ABS In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores in the following forms: Percent correct score and percentile score. It is of interest to note how residency programs utilize the different forms of ABSITE scores in assessment of surgical residents for progression in training. We conducted a survey of program directors to ascertain the present situation. ⋯ ABSITE score is being used as one of the measures to assess residents. Programs need to ensure that an effective remedial process is in place to assist residents with poor performance.
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Comparative Study
Voluntary autonomous simulator based training in minimally invasive surgery, residents' compliance and reflection.
Knot tying and suturing skills in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) differ markedly from those in open surgery. Appropriate MIS training is mandatory before implementation into practice. The Advanced Suturing Course (ASC) is a structured simulator based training course that includes a 6-week autonomous training period at home on a traditional laparoscopic box trainer. Previous research did not demonstrate a significant progress in laparoscopic skills after this training period. This study aims to identify factors determining autonomous training on a laparoscopic box trainer at home. ⋯ Autonomous practice should be structured and inclusive of adequate and sufficient feedback points. A minimally required practice time should be set. An obligatory assessment, including corresponding consequence should be conducted. Compliance herewith may result in increased voluntary (autonomous) simulator based (laparoscopic) training by residents.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Reliable and valid tools for measuring surgeons' teaching performance: residents' vs. self evaluation.
In surgical education, there is a need for educational performance evaluation tools that yield reliable and valid data. This paper describes the development and validation of robust evaluation tools that provide surgeons with insight into their clinical teaching performance. We investigated (1) the reliability and validity of 2 tools for evaluating the teaching performance of attending surgeons in residency training programs, and (2) whether surgeons' self evaluation correlated with the residents' evaluation of those surgeons. ⋯ The SETQ tools for the evaluation of surgeons' teaching performance appear to yield reliable and valid data. The lack of strong correlations between surgeons' self and residents' evaluations suggest the need for using external feedback sources in informed self evaluation of surgeons.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Novel educational approach for medical students: improved retention rates using interactive medical software compared with traditional lecture-based format.
Mannequin and computer-based simulators are useful for the practice of patient management, physical procedures, and competency. However, they are ineffective in teaching clinical medicine. StepStone Interactive Medical Software (SS) is a web-based medical learning modality that provides the user with a highly focused set of evaluative and interventional tasks to treat memorable virtual patients in a visual case-based format. ⋯ The SS learning modality demonstrated a significant improvement in student learning retention compared to traditional didactic lecture format. SS is an effective web-based medical education tool.
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Comparative Study
Teaching and assessing technical proficiency in surgical subspecialty fellowships.
To determine how programs are teaching and assessing procedural skills, and their perceived success. ⋯ Training in procedural proficiency was viewed as successful by both program directors and graduates. Dialogue with, assessment by, and feedback from faculty were frequently used and most valued; stressing the importance of the facilitator role of faculty in the education of the trainee. These findings provide guidance for the development of newer methods of teaching and assessment.