Basic aseptic technique for medical students: Identifying essential entry-level competencies.
OBJECTIVE
Medical students must be competent in basic aseptic technique (BAT) to function effectively in the operating room. However, a comprehensive literature review revealed a deficit of research in standardized BAT training for the operating room in medical school curricula.


METHODS
A modified reactive Delphi technique was used to survey an expert panel of 100 surgical educators. A focus group provided initial responses to key questions, and the panel completed 2 surveys. In the first survey, the panel identified elements for a BAT curriculum for the operating room. In the second survey, the panel received feedback from the first survey and was asked to respond in light of those results.


RESULTS
An 81% response rate was obtained from the first survey. A 74% response rate was obtained from the second survey. Seven of the 18 essential entry-level competencies (EELCs) identified were ranked as the most important. The top 5 instructional strategies and the top 3 methods for evaluation were also selected. The panel identified the third-year curriculum as the preferred time of training and a nurse preceptor/educator as the preferred instructor.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide a minimum set of educational objectives that can be used to develop a standardized curriculum in BAT for the operating room for medical students.
Leeper
Kristine
K
Department of Surgery, Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
Stegall
M Scott
MS
Stegall
Meribeth H
MH