The eSTEP™ Website: A Good Model for Online Surgical Training?

Abstract

eSTEPTM: http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/education/estep/home_html BeST online: https://www.intumed.com/ Online learning is not a new concept and this is certainly true in surgery. With online textbooks, basic skills videos and interactive tutorials, the World Wide Web should be the surgical trainees’ oyster. Yet few of these resources are comprehensive enough or of sufficient quality to be the ideal surgical training tool. Perhaps recognising this deficit, The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSE) launched eSTEPTM in 2001 – a comprehensive online learning resource aimed at surgical trainees. eSTEPTM complements the printed modules in the Surgeons in Training Education Programme (STEPTM), a distance learning programme introduced in 1994. STEPTM is firmly aimed at the surgical trainee working towards the MRCS examinations. A wide breadth of information is presented on the eSTEPTM website including case discussions, anatomy teaching videos, GMED Limited’s ‘Multimedia Course in Minor Surgery’, self-test questions and discussion boards – much of what the surgical trainee is seeking online. The website is quick, convenient to access and easy-to-navigate, if a little bland. The study modules are divided into 12 components reflecting the STEPTM printed modules – six core modules covering areas common to all branches of surgery and six system-specific modules – with each containing a variable number of case studies and multiple choice questions. The case studies are well written and are illustrated using realistic examples from every-day practise. A large compilation of clinical cases is supplemented on a weekly basis and explores the study modules in depth. Trainees are encouraged to participate in online discussion – commenting, answering questions and clarifying areas of uncertainty – facilitated by an online moderator. Thought-provoking exchanges result, promoting self-directed learning rather than the classical ‘spoon-feeding’ mode of knowledge acquisition. Some cases are supplemented with convenient anatomical videos – useful given the limited anatomy teaching resources available to postgraduate trainees. The minor surgery course uses images, videos and animation to prepare the surgical trainee embarking on their first minor operations list. A large bank of multiple choice and extended matching questions are of good quality and are written in a format similar to the MRCS examination making them suitable for exam preparation. So far, eSTEPTM sounds like the answer to a surgical trainee’s prayer – a high-quality learning resource aimed at supporting the trainee through their early surgical training years and their MRCS examinations – what more could a trainee ask for? If so, why are all trainees not subscribing to STEPTM so they can make use of the eSTEPTM website? One potential reason is financial – £1370 (or £1420 via direct debit) for a 24-month subscription will seem pretty hefty to the average junior surgical trainee. Subscription is limited to one option (24 months) which some will find restrictive. Many may only wish to use certain aspects of the website, while some will complete the MRCS examinations in less than 24 months – more flexible subscription periods would certainly be attractive. It is important to bear in mind that subscription includes the 12 STEPTM printed modules, 24-months’ access to the eSTEPTM website, 24-months’ subscription to the Surgery journal, discounts on books and RCSE courses, access to a College Day which includes an introduction to eSTEPTM, an overview of the Intercollegiate doi 10.1308/003588408X301190