Resident training and the dictated operative report: a national perspective.
BACKGROUND
Using a nationwide survey, we aimed to determine the current status of operative dictation training in Canada.


METHODS
Residents and program directors in general surgery programs in Canada participated in this survey.


RESULTS
In all, 274 residents and 11 program directors responded to the survey (70% and 79% response rates, respectively). Among residents, 73% reported that their dictations were in need of improvement, and 56% reported never receiving feedback about their dictations. Most residents (80%) stated that they learned to dictate by reading old operative dictations, 75% reported that their program did not use any formal methods to help improve dictations, and 70% requested further training in dictation. In all, 91% of program directors felt that residency programs should include formal training in dictation but half could not identify any formal methods currently used in their programs.


CONCLUSIONS
There appears to be a marked deficiency in resident training in operative dictation nationwide.
Gillman
Lawrence M
LM
The Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. gillmanlm@yahoo.ca
Vergis
Ashley
A
Hardy
Krista
K
Park
Jason
J
Taylor
Mark
M
D002170:Canada; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008499:Medical Records; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires