Preparing medical students to enter surgery residencies

Background: This study was designed to develop and evaluate an integrated cognitive and proficiency-based skills curriculum based on American College of Surgeons Graduate Medical Education Committee (ACGME) competencies to prepare students for surgery internships. Methods: Course content included cadaver dissections, didactic sessions, team training, and training in clinical and technical skills. Using previously validated skills curricula (12 open and 5 Fundamental Laparoscopic Surgery [FLS] tasks), trainees underwent pretest, self-practice to proficiency, and post-test. Surveys regarding confidence levels and skills were administered. Results: Mean course evaluation score was 4.5 ± .6 on a 5-point Likert scale. Trainees (n = 9) achieved proficiency on open tasks and FLS tasks 2-5. The mean confidence self-rating on 51 skills increased on a 5-point Likert scale from 2.4 ± .6 to 4.0 ± .6 (P < .001). Conclusions: This integrated curriculum did improve confidence levels, and skills proficiency can be achieved in an abbreviated time. The anticipated result would be enhanced baseline abilities for internship.