Microlearning in Complex Surgical Oncology: Proof of Concept and Impact on Surgical Skills Acquisition During...

Recent structural changes to residency programs, such as workforce shortages and work-hour restrictions, have reduced operating room exposition for residents in surgical specialties. Complementary strategies need to be developed to support surgical educators and provide residents with the optimal learning environment. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of integrating microlearning in a general surgery residency program and to evaluate its impact on surgical skills acquisition in surgical oncology.

An online module structured in six different microlearning units was created. Each unit was designed to present key concepts of a specific surgical procedure, including anatomic landmarks, series of standardized steps, and a narrated video. The procedures included were right and left hepatectomy, cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, total/subtotal gastrectomy, pancreatoduodenectomy, and distal pancreatectomy. The study included 20 general surgery residents completing a 3-month rotation in complex surgical oncology, 10 of whom had access to the online module. The participants in both groups completed a self- assessment survey at the conclusion of the study.

The residents who had access to the online module exhibited greater comfort regarding theoretical aspects of the procedures (p = 0.0322) and increased confidence performing procedural steps of the procedures (p = 0.0433) at the end of their rotation. Most of the residents considered the module to be highly beneficial to their learning. All the residents considered the online module helpful in preparing for real-life scenarios.

The study demonstrated the feasibility and potential benefits of introducing a microlearning environment to enhance residents' knowledge and behavior in complex surgical oncology.