Tetsuya Nakazato, MD, PhD, Kristine Kuchta, MS, Michael Ujiki, MD. Grainger Center of Simulation and Innovation, NorthShore University HealthSystem
BACKGROUND: Surgical simulation is thought to provide a basis for improvement of resident surgical skill training, in the safety of a simulation setting. It is unclear whether surgical skills learned in a simulation curriculum actually contribute to the improvement of surgical skills when transferred to the OR.
METHODS: A ten question online survey was sent to attending surgeons and residents. The questionnaire focused on 5 domains: confidence, independence, transferable skills, improvement of skills/knowledge and time spent on the simulation curriculum. Evaluation data was collected and anonymously analyzed.
RESULTS: A total of 41 (22 residents and 19 attending surgeons) responded. Results showed that residents spent significantly more time in the simulation lab than attending surgeons during their residency (p<0.0001). Residents felt more strongly than attending surgeons that confidence in the OR improved because of simulation (86% vs. 53%, p=0.0367). Residents also thought that skills learned in simulation are more transferable to the OR compared to opinions of attending surgeons (95.5% vs. 68.4%, P=0.0364). There were no differences in opinion between attending surgeons and residents in believing the time spent on the simulation curriculum is appropriate (78.0%), that simulation is useful for improving surgical skills (95.1%), and that simulation is helpful for building surgical knowledge (80.5%).
CONCLUSION: A surgical simulation curriculum improves surgical residents’ confidence. Skills that residents learn in the simulation curriculum are more transferable to the OR than attending surgeons may have previously believed.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 86850
Program Number: P300
Presentation Session: iPoster Session (Non CME)
Presentation Type: Poster
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