title: Comparison of multiple training models of surgical rotation for third-year medical students A prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We decided to compare five different teaching models to provide the best training for third-year medical students during their Surgical Rotation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group A got a standard rotation. Group B came to the ward once a week at half morning, spent 1 hour with the tutor and the rest of the morning with residents. Group C was divided into smaller groups, each one assigned 2 times to the ambulatory, to the ward and to the pre-admission service. Group D came to the ward once a week at early morning, spent 2 hours with the tutor and the rest of the morning with residents. Group E was divided in 2 smaller groups that were admitted 3 times in the OR and in the ward. Students filled in an initial and final knowledge-evaluation questionnaire
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the Groups showed a positive learning curve. Group B showed the highest improvement (p=0.0001). Group A and Group E showed statistically significant improvements, (p=0.002 and p=0.03). Most of Group A and B students declared that their experience was poor regarding medical examination, while the majority of Group C and E defined their experience satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Group B demonstrated the most significant growth and good appreciation from students, but also Group E and Group C showed a high appreciation rate, maybe due to the stimulating activity in the operative room and ambulatory. We propose a synthesis of these models as the best approach, with less crowed groups and ward, ambulatory and OR activities.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  General surgery, Medical students, Surgical education, Surgical clerkship, Students training, Surgical rotation.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magistri
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nigri
authors.forename: Niccolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petrucciani
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aurello
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramacciato
mesh_terms: D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D011446:Prospective Studies