Orientation to the Operating Room: An Introduction to the Surgery Clerkship for Third-Year Medical Students.

Introduction: The operating room is a complex environment in which individual team members perform specific tasks according to their role. A simulation activity was created to introduce medical students on the surgery clerkship to issues relating to patient safety, infection control, and regulatory requirements.

Methods: This activity takes place prior to general surgery rotation operative experiences, and addresses the need for students to practice roles they will perform while participating in patient care.

Nurses in medical education: A unique opportunity.

Medical students are expected to learn certain procedural skills in addition to clinical skills, such as assessment and decision making. There is much literature that shows proficiency in procedural skills translated to improved outcomes and cost-saving. Given the time constraints placed by increasing clinical demands, physicians have less time to work with students in teaching technical skills.