10-YEAR EXPERIENCE WITH A BASIC TECHNICAL SKILLS AND PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP FOR 1ST-YEAR RESIDENTS

Teaching technical skills is one of the most crucial tasks of the acad emic surgeon. The 10-year experience with a psychomotor skills laborat ory at the Department of Surgery of the Universite de Montreal is repo rted. Since 1983, first-year trainees were freed of hospital duties fo r ''a week of surgical techniques'' to develop their basic surgical te chnique and perioperative skills. Cognitive and practical sessions wer e designed for two groups of 10 residents. Teaching videos, suture boa rds, biologic substitutes, animal laboratory, round table discussions and formal lectures were the techniques used. Cognitive sessions were designed to provide information on instrumentation, adequate preoperat ive preparation, general organization of the operating room, intensive care and endoscopy units. The surgical procedures were approved by th e local animal ethics committee. The program helped residents achieve surgical dexterity in a less stressful and more controlled manner than in the operating room. Close relationships of the trainees with their peers and teachers were established early helped to improve the opera ting environment. This program helps junior residents understand the c omplex world of the operating room and reduces the operative risks rel ated to technique.