Enhancing Operating Room Skills and Confidence Among Third-Year Medical Students: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Operating room (OR) sterility and proficiency are paramount in medical education, yet a standardized curriculum remains elusive. This study investigates the impact of an OR skills training workshop, led by students and supervised by OR staff, on third-year medical students' confidence and comfort in the OR setting. Third-year students at Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee, participated in pre- and post-workshop surveys assessing comfort levels with key OR procedures. The workshop facilitated practice in a low-pressure environment, enhancing students' confidence significantly across six fundamental OR skills (p < 0.05). Strengths of the workshop included facility tours, hands-on practice, and mentorship by OR staff, while recommendations focused on smaller group sizes and additional skill coverage. Ongoing data collection aims to assess the workshop's long-term impact on clerkship experiences. This study underscores the importance of structured curriculum enhancements in surgical medical education.