Journal of surgical education
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A fundamental premise of establishing collaborative relationships between residents and nurses is a basic understanding of the attributes of each group. The intent of this study was to determine what surgical nurses know about surgical residents. ⋯ Despite the importance of the collaborative relationship in surgical patient care, surgical nurses have a limited understanding of surgical residents. Educating nurses about the education, roles, and responsibilities of surgical residents might improve collaborative relationships and ultimately patient care.
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The objective of this study was to assess the factors that impact residency choice by general surgery applicants and the importance of the availability of skill curricula. ⋯ The main determinants of the applicants' choice of a general surgery program are the quality of life of the residents and the anticipated clinical experience and curriculum quality. The availability of organized skills curricula is low in the applicant priorities, but it does influence their decision-making process. These findings may help program directors to optimize their residency curriculum and interviewing process.
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The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) work-hour restrictions have prompted many surgical training programs to adopt a night-float resident coverage system (NF). Dissatisfaction with NF prompted us to transition to a rotating junior resident call model (Q4) with 24-hour call shifts at the outset of the 2007-2008 academic year. We performed a prospective study to determine the influence of this transition on resident education, morale, and quality of life, as well as on ACGME work rule compliance and American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores. ⋯ Educational opportunities, compliance with ACGME work rules, and ABSITE scores can be preserved despite a transition from NF to Q4. Residents greatly prefer a rotating call schedule.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of weekly didactic grand rounds presentations. ⋯ Approximately 40% of material presented at grand rounds was retained within a 9 month period. Although this number seems low, this information was recalled without preparation. Despite the preference for distinguished guest speakers, there was no significant additional gain in knowledge from their expertise. Presentations from senior residents were the most successful in conveying information.
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Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) are common tools used to objectively evaluate surgical residents. In 2005, our institution presented a novel hybrid OSATS/OSCE, which we renamed the Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA), encompassing all 6 core competencies regarding comprehensive care of the breast care patient. This study presents an analysis of the effects of a compulsory, comprehensive OSCA on our residents' competence in this index learning category. ⋯ Our data show consistent competence of residents in breast disease as evaluated by the OSCA, an increase in numbers of breast cases, and a decrease in incorrect responses on breast-related ABSITE questions. We believe a comprehensive, complete care OSCA represents a valuable learning tool for residents to increase their competence and improve their outcomes in breast care. We believe that comprehensive OSCAs will be necessary tools to evaluate resident competence and should be implemented in all areas of general surgery.