Bingo as a Novel Approach to Skill Building in the Initial Months of Surgical Internship: A Pilot Implementation

We have observed inconsistencies in residents' experiences regarding important procedures and tasks necessary for patient care. We aimed to improve individual motivation to learn and become facile with specific practices earlier in the timeline of the internship years.

Intern Bingo was implemented in a single general surgery residency. Two sites, both tertiary care centers with institutional practices, were utilized. Twenty-four procedures/tasks important to clinical practice were identified, including but not limited to Nasogastric Tube placement, IV insertion, incision and drainage, laceration repair, vascular doppler exam, and clinical documentation. Bingo cards were randomly generated. To assess comprehension, interns taught back necessary components to a senior resident or attending to complete each bingo square; including indications, supplies, steps, troubleshooting techniques, and complications. First, the residents were awarded prizes to complete a row and a full card (a cloth scrub cap and portable pulse-oximeter, respectively). A Likert-scale survey assessing satisfaction was administered following the completion of the internship period.

The first row was completed in two weeks and the first full card at four weeks. All participants finished the cards within 8 weeks. 54% of the participants returned the survey and 100% reported positive experiences. 50% felt that bingo created a healthy learning environment with improved teaching, and the remaining 50% were neutral. 75% reported that Bingo positively influenced decisions to seek out opportunities. 100% conveyed a desire to repeat Bingo as mentors. Feedback from the attendings was gathered, with positive assessments of the interns' skills and confidence.

Bingo is a simple and easily implemented educational tool that works to alleviate variations in experience early in the internship period. It represents a novel and effective way to motivate the interns to learn important procedures and tasks within the first two months of residency. Cards may be effortlessly tailored to a variety of residency programs and rotations.