title: Teaching core competencies of reconstructive microsurgery with the use of standardized patients.
abstract: The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education has defined 6 core competencies that residents must master before completing their training. Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) using standardized patients are effective educational tools to assess and teach core competencies. We developed an OSCE specific for microsurgical head and neck reconstruction. Fifteen plastic surgery residents participated in the OSCE simulating a typical new patient consultation, which involved a patient with oral cancer. Residents were scored in all 6 core competencies by the standardized patients and faculty experts. Analysis of participant performance showed that although residents performed well overall, many lacked proficiency in systems-based practice. Junior residents were also more likely to omit critical elements of the physical examination compared to senior residents. We have modified our educational curriculum to specifically address these deficiencies. Our study demonstrates that the OSCE is an effective assessment tool for teaching and assessing all core competencies in microsurgery.
authors.affiliation: From the *Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford; and †Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University Hospital and Clinics, Palo Alto, CA.
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Kamakshi R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Zeidler
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Echo
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Otake
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahdoot
authors.forename: Gordon K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000193:education*; D010808:Physical Examination; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000193:education*