title: Society of Neurological Surgeons boot camp courses: knowledge retention and relevance of hands-on learning after 6 months of postgraduate year 1 training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In July 2010, the Society of Neurological Surgeons (SNS) introduced regional courses to promote patient safety and teach fundamental skills and knowledge to all postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) trainees entering Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited US neurosurgery residency programs. Data from these courses demonstrated significant didactic learning and high faculty and resident satisfaction with hands-on training. Here, the authors evaluated the durability of learning from and the relevance of participation in SNS PGY1 courses as measured midway through PGY1 training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Resident participants were resurveyed 6 months after boot camp course attendance to assess knowledge retention and course effectiveness. Exposure to relevant hands-on experiences during PGY1 training and the subjective value of pre-residency simulated training in the courses were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-four percent of all residents entering US PGY1 neurosurgical training participated in the 2010 SNS boot camp courses. One hundred sixty-four (88%) of these resident participants responded to the survey. Six months after course completion, 99% of respondents believed the boot camp courses benefited beginning neurosurgery residents and imparted skills and knowledge that would improve patient care. The PGY1 residents' knowledge of information taught in the courses was retained 6 months after initial testing (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The learning and other benefits of participation in a national curriculum for residents entering PGY1 neurosurgical training were maintained 6 months after the courses, halfway through the initial training year.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Selden
authors.forename: Valerie C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCartney
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Origitano
authors.forename: Kim J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Burchiel
authors.forename: Nicholas M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Barbaro
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D000328:Adult; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000592:standards; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards