Background: A comprehensive and up-to-date curriculum requires periodic for
mal review to ensure it continues to meet learners' needs.
Purpose: This study describes a model for evaluating a surgery clerkship cu
rriculum designed to determine the appropriateness of its learning objectiv
es to the general professional education of a physician.
Methods: A survey was mailed to graduates who pursued generalist residencie
s. Respondents estimated the number of patients encountered annually with s
pecified presenting complaints or disease entities and the percentage of ti
me these were referred to surgeons. For 23 technical procedures, respondent
s estimated the frequency done annually and whether remaining proficient in
the skill was considered important.
Results: The majority of graduates reported the need to remain proficient i
n 19 technical procedures. Numerous patient problems were identified as req
uiring careful instruction so that learners know when and when not to refer
for surgical intervention.
Conclusions: The clerkship was modified to include skills and topics not pr
eviously included or appropriately emphasized.