Practical training for postgraduate year 1 surgery residents

BACKGROUND: Surgical interns accept significant patient care responsibiliti es with minimal orientation. We have developed a multifaceted training prog ram for incoming surgical interns in which learning in a simulated environm ent plays a key role. The purpose of this study was to evaluate resident pe rceptions of simulated clinical calls as an educational modality and to mea sure the effect on self-ratings of confidence. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team compiled 15 clinical scenarios. Simulated nurse-to-resident clinical call sessions were held on 3 separate days. Dai ly course evaluation surveys and identical precourse and postcourse confide nce surveys were completed. RESULTS: The resident confidence measure increased significantly postcourse (6.73 versus 8.35, P < 0.03). The evaluation survey score averaged 4.35 ou t of 5. CONCLUSIONS: Simulated clinical call sessions were well received and result ed in a significant increase in resident confidence levels. Based on this m odality's apparent efficacy and ease of implementation, we offer it as a us eful educational tool for incoming postgraduate year-1 surgical residents. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.