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The two-week pediatric surgery rotation: is it time wasted?
S Dutta1, P W Wales, A Fecteau
1Department of General Pediatric Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|May 12, 2004
Summary
A 2-week pediatric surgery rotation effectively met most learning and competency goals for medical students. The rotation increased awareness of pediatric surgical practice, though further discussion on assessment and recruitment is needed.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Assessing the adequacy of a 2-week pediatric surgery rotation.
- Addressing declining enrollment in surgical residency programs.
- Evaluating learning and competency objectives for medical students.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a 2-week pediatric surgery rotation meets established learning and competency objectives.
- To assess the impact of the rotation on medical students' medical and psychosocial competencies.
- To measure student exposure to essential and nonessential pediatric surgical conditions.
Main Methods:
- Prospective survey of 39 clinical clerks.
- Anonymous self-assessment of competency objectives (medical and psychosocial) pre- and post-rotation.
- Measurement of exposure to essential and nonessential pediatric surgical learning objectives.
Main Results:
- High response rates for competency (77%) and learning objectives (54%).
- Significant improvement in medical (P <.00001) and psychosocial (P =.00036) competencies.
- Most essential learning objectives were met, with increased awareness of pediatric surgical practice (P <.0001).
Conclusions:
- A 2-week pediatric surgery rotation is adequate for most objectives.
- Need for discussion on competency assessment methods.
- Consideration of essential topics and long-term recruitment impact is necessary.