title: Development and implementation of an interactive, objective, and simulation-based curriculum for general surgery residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A Steering Committee of residents and faculty initiated a systematic approach to curriculum development, focusing on competency-based education and emphasizing both resident and faculty engagement in the didactic process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Integrated General Surgery Residency Program at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postgraduate year (PGY) 1 through 5 general surgery categorical and preliminary residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Core Curriculum consisting of 45-minute blocks and 2.5 hours of resident time per week was developed by a steering committee composed of faculty and residents. Each block is assigned a faculty and resident moderator, and has defined competency and knowledge-based objectives. An anonymous online evaluation tool collected residents' perceptions of value and satisfaction with the curriculum utilizing 15 5-point Likert items focusing on conferences, objectives, preparation, and quality of presentations, and materials. Measures were taken at the close of the previous academic year (baseline) and at 6 months and 1 year after implementation. The analysis focused on the percent responding in the 2 highest Likert categories (good/excellent, almost always/always, agree/strongly agree). The resulting dichotomous outcomes were compared with time point using χ(2)-tests of proportion; Kruskal-Wallis statistic was also used to compare the full distribution of responses. All analyses were done using SPSS v. 14 with α = 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred two surveys were completed on-line (42 at baseline, 38 at 6 months, and 22 at 1 year). All 15 items showed increases from baseline to 1-year follow-up; 9 of the 15 were statistically significant with conferences and presentation quality and interaction showing the greatest improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resident satisfaction with the core curriculum, and their self-reported clinical and academic abilities showed improvement after a systematic collaborative faculty-resident approach to curriculum development and implementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA. kirton@uchc.edu
authors.forename: Orlando C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Kirton
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: Ilene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Staff
authors.forename: Karyl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D003479:Curriculum; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*