Optimal education techniques for basic surgical trainees: lessons from education theory

"Calmanisation" of surgical training and the introduction of the "New Deal" on doctor's hours has led to a reduction in "in service" training and a pr oliferation of training courses. Little research has been done into the opt imum design of these courses. Education theory has shown that individuals h ave optimal learning styles and that these styles tend to be generalised ac ross professional groups. It was decided, therefore, to investigate the opt imal learning styles of basic surgical trainees. A learning style inventory was used to assess the preferred learning style of 52 basic surgical train ees. The predominant learning styles (86.5%) were convergent (n = 31) or ac commodative (n = 14) whilst only 5 (9.6%) assimilative and 2 (3.9%) diverge nt styles were detected. Convergent and accommodative learners rely princip ally on hands on experience and problem solving as their optimal learning t echnique. Given the shorter hours and duration of Basic Surgical Training, in service practical training and surgical courses should be structured acc ordingly.