Reflective Writing for Medical Students on the Surgical Clerkship: Oxymoron or Antidote?

Objectives: Reflective writing has emerged as a solution to declining empathy during clinical training. However, the role for reflective writing has not been studied in a surgical setting. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to assess receptivity to a reflective-writing intervention among third-year medical students on their surgical clerkship.

Senior Surgical Resident Confidence in Performing Flexible Endoscopy: What Can We Do Differently?

Introduction: The American Board of Surgery endoscopy requirements for general surgery training are evolving. In 2006, the Residency Review Committee in Surgery increased the total number of endoscopy cases required before completion of general surgery residency training. This requirement is set to change further, given the new Flexible Endoscopic Curriculum that would be a requirement for applicants graduating surgical training during or after the 2017 to 2018 academic year.

Are graduating surgical residents confident in performing open vascular surgery? Results of a national survey.

Introduction: General surgical training has changed significantly over the past decade with work-hour restrictions, increasing use of minimally invasive techniques, and increasing specialization, leading to decreased resident exposure to open operative techniques. Furthermore, the presence of vascular surgery fellows and the advent of dedicated vascular surgery residencies have had the potential to diminish further the vascular surgery experience of general surgery residents. Given these changes, this study was undertaken to assess the confidence of graduating general surgery residents in performing certain key open vascular maneuvers, approaches that might be required in a general surgery practice, and to determine factors associated with variations in reported confidence.

A comprehensive, simulation-based approach to teaching clinical skills: the medical students' perspective.

The purpose of this study was to determine if third-year medical students participating in a mandatory 12-week simulation course perceived improvement in decision-making, communication, and teamwork skills. Students participated in or observed 24 acute emergency scenarios. At 4-week intervals, students completed 0-10 point Likert scale questionnaires evaluating the curriculum and role of team leader.

Graduating general surgery resident operative confidence: perspective from a national survey.

Background: General surgical training has changed significantly over the last decade with work hour restrictions, increasing subspecialization, the expanding use of minimally invasive techniques, and nonoperative management for solid organ trauma. Given these changes, this study was undertaken to assess the confidence of graduating general surgery residents in performing open surgical operations and to determine factors associated with increased confidence.

Methods: A survey was developed and sent to general surgery residents nationally.