A preliminary review of a pilot curriculum to teach open surgical skills during general surgery residency with initial feedback

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to provide a preliminary review of a pilot curriculum to teach open surgical skills during general surgery residency and obtain initial feedback. DATA SOURCE: The general surgery residency program introduced an open surgical skills training curriculum in 2009. The skills sessions are undertaken under the guidance of the faculty. An annual survey was distributed to the residents and faculty to obtain their feedback. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 50 sessions were conducted over the last 2 years. Ninety-five percent of the residents perceived this educational activity to be above average to exceptional with nearly 70% rating it as exceptional. Sixty-three percent of the faculty perceived it as above average to exceptional, with nearly 40% rating it as exceptional. The open surgical skills training curriculum was rated as the most educational activity in the program by residents and faculty alike.