A Surgical Skills Rotation for Mid-Level Residents

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery Education
• Surgical Skills Training
• Medical Residency Programs

Background:

• The transition from PGY2 to PGY3 involves increased resident autonomy in surgical procedures.
• Existing training models focus on foundational skills, with a need for mid-residency skill assessment.
• The University of Iowa previously established a successful PGY1 surgical skills rotation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and evaluate a dedicated surgical skills rotation for PGY2 orthopaedic residents.
• To assess and enhance residents' technical proficiency in key surgical areas.
• To ensure residents are prepared for advanced responsibilities in their PGY3 year.

Main Methods:

• Implemented a week-long PGY2 surgical skills rotation.
• Included faculty-led training and assessment in joint arthroplasty, trauma, arthroscopy, and wire navigation.
• Conducted structured performance evaluations on the final day to establish proficiency benchmarks.

Main Results:

• The rotation provided dedicated practice and opportunities for skill improvement.
• Faculty-led sessions focused on level-appropriate skills for the PGY2 level.
• Structured evaluations assessed resident proficiency in fundamental orthopaedic technical skills.

Conclusions:

• The PGY2 surgical skills rotation effectively trains and evaluates residents before their PGY3 year.
• This program serves as a model for other institutions seeking to optimize surgical education.
• It ensures a smoother transition for residents assuming greater surgical leadership.