Pre-course cognitive training using a smartphone application in orthopaedic intern surgical skills "boot camps".

Background: We evaluated a cognitive task analysis-based application, Touch Surgery.

Methods: Orthopaedic surgery interns completed a simulated ankle open reduction and internal fixation and a lag screw fixation before starting the boot camp. Surveys were administered before the simulation and after the boot camp.

Results: Fourteen of 19 interns completed the study. Ten interns thought the application improved their baseline understanding. Nine thought the application accelerated the learning process. Eight thought the application made the procedures easier to learn.

Conclusions: Touch Surgery enhanced the surgical skills curriculum, was well-received, and has the potential to supplement training of interns.