title: Verification of proficiency: a prerequisite for clinical experience.
abstract: Several factors, including reduced resident work hours and concerns for patient safety, have led to the introduction of dedicated skills laboratories and a more widespread belief in the value of time spent in skills training. The American College of Surgeons and the Association of Program Directors in Surgery established a three-phase skills curriculum for all surgery residents. Phase 1 involves basic surgical skills instructional modules and a Verification of Proficiency assessment. After undergoing teaching and practice sessions in the authors' skills lab, all first-year surgical residents (post graduate year 1 residents) from general surgery and four surgical specialty programs are tested on 11 non-specialty specific basic surgical skills before performing these in clinical situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62794, USA.
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sanfey
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dunnington
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results