title: Does scripting operative plans in advance lead to better preparedness of trainees? A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We pondered if preoperative scripting might better prepare residents for the operating room (OR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Interns rotating on a general surgeon's service were instructed to script randomized cases prior to entering the OR. Scripts contained up to 20 points highlighting patient information perceived important for surgical management. The attending was blinded to the scripting process and completed a feedback sheet (Likert scale) following each procedure. Feedback questions were categorized into "preparedness" (aware of patient specific details, etc.) and "performance" (provided better assistance, etc.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight surgical interns completed 55 scripted and 61 non-scripted cases. Total scores were higher in scripted cases (p = 0.02). Performance scores were higher for scripted cases (3.31 versus 3.13, p = 0.007), while preparedness did not differ (3.65 and 3.62, p = 0.51).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests scripting cases may be a useful preoperative planning tool to increase interns' operative and patient care performance but may not affect perceived preparedness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Becca L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Gas
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Monali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Apram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jyot
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: EeeLN H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Buckarma
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: farley.david@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Farley
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D005246:Feedback; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008910:Minnesota; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Preoperative planning; Preoperative scripting; Preparedness; Scripting; Surgery