A structured conference program improves competency-based surgical education.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Work hour restrictions and new educational standards pose substantial challenges for modern residency programs. We present results from an institutional effort to improve resident education using a competency-based conference program.

METHODS:
The conference program is a weekly 3-hour mandatory block of protected time including a formal lecture series and a modular series tailored to resident level. A comprehensive survey was administered to all general surgery residents before (2005) and after (2006) implementation of the new conference program and included specific items related to the 6 competencies.

RESULTS:
Scores for 16 competency-related items all showed statistically significant improvement. We also found improvements in residents' perceptions of the faculty. Overall, the new conference program was rated positively by 98% of residents.

CONCLUSIONS:
Implementation of a structured conference program resulted in significant improvement in residents' evaluation of their education in the 6 competencies and improved their perceptions of the faculty.

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Author information

Author/s: Parikh, Janak A (JA); McGory, Marcia L (ML); Ko, Clifford Y (CY); Hines, O Joe (OJ); Tillou, Areti (A); Hiatt, Jonathan R (JR);

Affiliation: Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, BOX 95-6904, 72-160 CHS, 10833 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095-6904, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: American journal of surgery (Am J Surg), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Aug; vol 196 (issue 2) : pp 273-9

Dates: Created 2008/07/21; Completed 2008/08/07;

PMID: 18558395, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

California
Clinical Competence
Education, Medical, Graduate - methods
Educational Measurement
Humans

Humans
Internship and Residency
Program Evaluation
Surgery - education
Teaching - methods

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