Catch me if you can…early simulation efforts affect fundamental surgical skill assessment scores.

Background: We evaluated whether early exposure to a simulation curriculum enhances acquired surgical skills.

Methods: The "Surgical Olympics" evaluates interns on basic surgical skills and knowledge. After the Summer Olympics (July), interns were randomly divided into groups: "A" participated in a 7-week curriculum once a week, whereas "B" attended 7 weeks of lectures once a week. All interns then participated in the October Olympics. The 2 groups then switched. Finally, all interns completed a January Olympics.

Results: Scores were tabulated for the July, October, and January Olympics. Mean scores (A = 182 ± 42, Group B = 188 ± 34; P = .70) were similar in July; in October, group A (mean score = 237 ± 31) outperformed group B (mean score = 200 ± 32; P = .01). Mean total scores in January (A = 290 ± 34, B = 276 ± 34; P = .32) were similar.

Conclusions: Early exposure to a surgical simulation curriculum enhances surgical intern performance in our Surgical Olympics. Subsequent simulation experience helps learners close this gap.