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Microsurgery education in residency training: validating an online curriculum
Thomas Satterwhite1, Ji Son, Joseph Carey
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|March 17, 2012
Summary
A new web-based microsurgical curriculum significantly improved plastic surgery residents' knowledge and skills. This online resource offers a valuable, self-paced learning tool for all training levels.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Microsurgery
Background:
- Traditional plastic surgery training relies on an apprenticeship model with live patients.
- Growing demand for improved patient care necessitates adjunct teaching methods.
- Assessing novel educational tools is crucial for enhancing surgical training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel web-based microsurgical curriculum.
- To compare the learning outcomes of residents using the online resource versus a control group.
- To determine the impact of the curriculum on microsurgical knowledge and practical skills.
Main Methods:
- An interactive website was developed to teach microsurgical competencies.
- Plastic surgery residents were divided into an experimental (online curriculum) and a control group.
- Pre- and post-assessments included written tests and recorded skills sessions.
Main Results:
- Residents using the web-based curriculum showed a 17% increase in test scores compared to controls.
- The experimental group demonstrated faster microanastomosis times (4.5-minute improvement vs. 1.25 minutes).
- Higher self-rated confidence correlated with better test scores and faster task completion.
Conclusions:
- The interactive web-based curriculum provides an organized, competency-based approach to microsurgery training.
- This self-paced online resource is suitable for plastic surgery trainees at all levels.
- Integrating online training with practice sessions can enhance microsurgery knowledge and skills acquisition.
