National Simulation-Based Training of Fellows: The Vascular Surgery Example

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Vascular surgery is a rapidly evolving specialty with complex technical demands.
• Standardized evaluation of fundamental surgical skills is crucial for trainee competency.
• Existing programs like Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery offer valuable models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a fundamentals curriculum for vascular and endovascular surgery.
• To establish a baseline for assessing fundamental technical skills in surgical trainees.
• To adapt best practices from established surgical skills programs.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing and adapting curricula from the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) and Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) programs.
• Developing specific modules and assessment tools for core vascular and endovascular techniques.
• Implementing the program within a structured surgical training environment.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a comprehensive "Fundamentals of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery" (FVE) curriculum.
• Established a framework for objective assessment of fundamental surgical skills.
• Demonstrated feasibility of applying lessons from FLS and FES to vascular surgery training.

Conclusions:

• The implementation of a standardized "Fundamentals of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery" program enhances trainee skill assessment.
• This initiative promotes uniformity and improves the quality of surgical education in vascular and endovascular fields.
• Adapting established surgical skills programs provides a robust foundation for new specialty curricula.