title: Evaluation of a blended learning surgical skills course for rural surgeons.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rural surgeons have unique learning needs not easily met by traditional continuing medical education courses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multidisciplinary team developed and implemented a skills curriculum focused on leadership and communication, advanced endoscopy, emergency urology, emergency gynecology, facial plastic surgery, ultrasound, and management of fingertip amputations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five of 30 (89%) rural surgeons who completed a follow-up course evaluation reported that the knowledge acquired during the course had improved their practice and/or the quality of patient care, particularly by refining commonly used skills and expanding the care options they could offer to their patients. The surgeons reported incorporating changes in their communication and interaction with colleagues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This course was successful, from participants' perspectives, in providing hands-on mentored training for a variety of skills that reflect the broad scope of practice of surgeons in rural areas. Attendees felt that their participation resulted in important behavior and practice changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair, Chicago, IL, USA; Nora Institute for Surgical Patient Safety, American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: ahalverson@nmff.org.
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Halverson
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Debra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: DaRosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY, USA.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Borgstrom
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Keokuk, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Philip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Caropreso
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Memorial Hospital, McPherson, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Tyler G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hoyt
authors.affiliation: Division of Education, American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Ajit K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sachdeva
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012647:Self-Assessment; D014481:United States
keywords: Communication; Continuing professional development; Leadership; Rural surgery; Surgical quality; Surgical skills training