920 Regular Formal Surgical Skills Training for Undergraduates - an Easy Way to Increase Enthusiasm for Postgraduate Surgical Training?
O Skan, M De Andres Crespo- Surgery
Abstract
Aim
Despite the publication of a clearly defined surgical curriculum by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the availability of surgical training opportunities at medical school remains highly variable [1]. While one-off training days can increase students’ surgical skills confidence, we wanted to explore the effect of a regular skills course on students’ skills confidence, and the effect this had on their willingness to attend theatre lists and purse surgical training after graduation.
Method
We designed a 6-session training program covering the Basic Surgical Skills curriculum produced by the RCS. It also included robotic surgery simulation. The course was run twice due to high demand for places. Core trainees were recruited to help supervise the course. The course was sponsored by both ASiT and Medtronic and was free for attendees.
Results
The course received excellent feedback. Free text sections highlighted how regular skills training allowed for consolidating learning. Attendees were significantly more likely to feel confident in performing all the techniques covered after the course (Chi Squared, p < 0.05). 16/17 attendees (94.1%) candidates agreed that the course filled a gap in what teaching is provided by the medical school, and all attendees felt more confident attending theatre lists after attending the course. Of note, most students agreed the course had increased their inclination towards a surgical career (12/17 70.2%.).
Conclusions
The course highlights the importance of regular surgical skills teaching. It also highlights an important knock-on effect of making students more confident attending lists, and more likely to pursue surgical careers.