Practical training for postgraduate year 1 surgery residents

BACKGROUND: Surgical interns accept significant patient care responsibilities with minimal orientation. We have developed a multifaceted training program for incoming surgical interns in which learning in a simulated environment plays a key role. The purpose of this study was to evaluate resident perceptions of simulated clinical calls as an educational modality and to measure the effect on self-ratings of confidence. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team compiled 15 clinical scenarios. Simulated nurse-to-resident clinical call sessions were held on 3 separate days. Daily course evaluation surveys and identical precourse and postcourse confidence surveys were completed. RESULTS: The resident confidence measure increased significantly postcourse (6.73 versus 8.35, P < 0.03). The evaluation survey score averaged 4.35 out of 5. CONCLUSIONS: Simulated clinical call sessions were well received and resulted in a significant increase in resident confidence levels. Based on this modality's apparent efficacy and ease of implementation, we offer it as a useful educational tool for incoming postgraduate year-1 surgical residents. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.