title: Fundamental skills for entering neurosurgery residents: report of a Pacific region "boot camp" pilot course, 2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Incorporation of the first postgraduate year of training into neurological surgery residencies in 2009 posed new challenges to neurosurgical educators. A "boot camp" course was held in August 2009 to introduce first year neurosurgical trainees to various fundamental cognitive and practical skills.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The effectiveness of this course was evaluated by electronic survey of all trainees and faculty members.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen trainees entering 5 western neurosurgical residencies (in either the first or second postgraduate year) participated in a course taught by 10 faculty members at a single host institution (Oregon Health & Science University) for 2 days. All trainees completed an online survey evaluating the relevance and quality of each didactic and hands-on course component and answered additional questions about the goals and design of the course. Faculty members were also surveyed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All trainees thought the course met its goals, provided relevant and useful information and experience, and was likely to improve patient care. In particular, hands-on procedural and operative course components were highly valued.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A fundamental skills boot camp course for first year neurosurgical trainees seems valuable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. seldenn@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Nathan R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Selden
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barbaro
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Origitano
authors.forename: Kim J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Burchiel
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States