Plastics Makes Perfect: A Collaborative, Cost-effective Approach to Multilevel Cadaveric Learning.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Training
• Anatomy Education

Background:

• Medical students face declining hands-on surgical experience during clerkships.
• Residents and faculty receive minimal training for teaching surgical skills.
• A multilevel cadaveric curriculum (MCC) was developed to address these educational gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the multilevel cadaveric curriculum (MCC) in enhancing surgical education.
• To assess the impact of the MCC on the confidence levels of medical students, residents, and faculty.
• To determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of shared surgical department funding for cadaveric access.

Main Methods:

• The MCC involved senior residents guiding medical students through procedures on cadavers.
• Junior residents performed procedures on the contralateral side under faculty supervision.
• Educational benefits were assessed using pre- and post-implementation surveys, with costs shared by surgical departments.

Main Results:

• Medical students reported increased confidence in identifying anatomy, using instruments, and assisting in surgery (P < 0.0001).
• Residents showed significant improvements in marking incisions, identifying neurovascular structures, completing procedures, and teaching (P < 0.0001).
• Faculty confidence in teaching ability and feedback provision increased (P = 0.006 and P = 0.032, respectively).

Conclusions:

• The MCC provided a valuable educational experience for medical students, residents, and faculty.
• Shared funding models improved cadaveric access, enhancing the curriculum's practical application.
• The study highlights the success of the MCC in improving surgical skills and confidence across all training levels.