Journal of surgical education
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"Grit" can be defined as the passion and perseverance for long-term goals, and it can be measured by a validated scale. It has been associated with success in diverse fields such as basic military training and spelling tests. Surgical training is arduous with large number of trainees reporting burnout, and it could be expected that grit is a fundamental requirement to complete training. This study aimed to examine the relationship of grit in surgical training, whether grit varies by grade of surgeon, and the association of grit with burnout. ⋯ These findings reinforce the concept that grit is fundamentally important to completion of surgical training. In addition, grittier individuals are more likely to resist burnout than their less gritty counterparts. These findings carry implications for retention and recruitment of trainee surgeons, and further study is required to investigate whether surgical training influences grit levels or selects out the grittiest trainees to survive to completion.
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The shift toward competency-based medical education has created a demand for feasible workplace-based assessment tools. Perhaps, more important than competence to assess an individual patient is the ability to successfully manage a surgical clinic. Trainee performance in clinic is a critical component of learning to manage a surgical practice, yet no assessment tool currently exists to assess daily performance in outpatient clinics for surgery residents. The development of a competency-based assessment tool, the Ottawa Clinic Assessment Tool (OCAT), is described here to address this gap. ⋯ Multiple sources of validity evidence collected in this study demonstrate that the OCAT can measure resident clinic competency in a valid and feasible manner.
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Our group has previously demonstrated an upward shift from junior to senior resident participation in common general surgery operations, traditionally performed by junior-level residents. The objective of this study was to evaluate if this trend would correct over time. We hypothesized that junior resident case volume would improve. ⋯ Along with the proliferation of laparoscopy for common general surgical procedures there has been a concomitant reduction in the participation of junior-level residents. As previously thought, familiarity with laparoscopy has not translated to redistribution of basic operations from senior to junior residents. This trend has significant implications for general surgery resident education.
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Industry funding of surgical training programs poses a potential conflict of interest. With the recent implementation of the Sunshine Act, industry funding can be more accurately determined. ⋯ Industry funding was common. This financial relationship poses a potential conflict of interest in training fellows for future practice.
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Medical students receive limited exposure to ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery in the preclinical curriculum. To address this gap, the authors designed a self-directed preclinical elective course in ophthalmic surgery offered in the 2013-2014 academic year to all first- and second-year students at the study institution. ⋯ This course increased preclinical medical students' knowledge of ophthalmic surgery and suggests that flexible preclinical electives can help medical students explore clinical interests and career choices earlier in their medical education.