title: A novel approach to improve undergraduate surgical teaching.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Undergraduate surgery is at an important crossroads. Many departments report significant difficulties delivering effective teaching. Our student feedback indicated a dated surgical curriculum lacking structure, quality and uniformity. We report on a new "blended" approach employing a combination of professional DVDs, case based discussions, online material and traditional bedside teaching designed to provide structure, standardization, and equality of learning .
  
  
  METHODS
  Year 4 students who had undertaken the new course and year 5 students who had participated in the traditional teaching programme were compared. Students completed a 20 item questionnaire about their experiences of the surgical teaching programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and seventy-one year 4 (70%) and 148 year 5 students (66%) responded. Domains relating to "Overall Satisfaction with the course", "Approval of innovative teaching methods and interactivity" and "Satisfaction with the clarity of course information" showed improvements when comparing the new and old programmes. However bedside teaching was not rated as highly in the new programme (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This blended approach has resulted in improved student understanding and engagement. The apparent compromise of bedside teaching may be a reflection of higher expectations. We believe that a similar blended approach has the potential to re-invigorate surgical teaching elsewhere.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education 1st Floor Mulhouse Building. Mulhouse Road, BT12 6DP.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education 1st Floor Mulhouse Building. Mulhouse Road, BT12 6DP.
authors.forename: R A J
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education 1st Floor Mulhouse Building. Mulhouse Road, BT12 6DP.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boohan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education 1st Floor Mulhouse Building. Mulhouse Road, BT12 6DP.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dorman
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education 1st Floor Mulhouse Building. Mulhouse Road, BT12 6DP.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education 1st Floor Mulhouse Building. Mulhouse Road, BT12 6DP.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Education 1st Floor Mulhouse Building. Mulhouse Road, BT12 6DP.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McGlade
mesh_terms: D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013337:Students, Medical