199: Impact of a novel education curriculum on surgical training within an academic training program

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Introduction: The training of the 21st century surgeon has become increasingly complex with the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education core competency requirements and work-hour restrictions. Previously, our group had described a new learning curriculum to improve surgical resident education using problem-based learning and small group discussions. Herein we report the two-year results of this novel problem-based learning education module at a large academic surgery program. Methods: Between 2004-2006, based on known principles of adult education, a formal didactic learning program was instituted within a major academic surgery program. The course work consisted of a yearlong structured reading program using a major surgery textbook, with weekly testing and small group discussion sessions. Data was prospectively collected from 2004 to 2006 on all categorical residents in the Department of Surgery (n = 42). Analysis was performed to identify any correlation between class attendance and American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Exam (ABSITE) score performance. All data was reported as a mean with a standard error of the mean. Categorical variables were analyzed using a paired Student’s T-test. A Bivariate correlation was calculated using a Spearman’s rho correlation. Results: When comparing the 2004 scores (pre-program) to 2006 scores, there was significant score improvement (p-value ≤ 0.05), with a mean increase of 8% on ABSITE scores across all classes. Furthermore, from 2005- 2006, the mean ABSITE score was stable for all classes with no class demonstrating a score decrease (p-value = 0.34). Of note, the PGY-4 class had a significant improvement of 15% (p-value ≤ 0.05). Bivariate analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between class attendance and ABSITE score improvement when excluding the high and low outlier (p-value ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: A PBL / small group discussion based education program can successfully meet the educational goals of a surgical training program. Furthermore, this program has demonstrated consistent results with maintenance of score improvements through.