A structured self-directed basic skills curriculum results in improved technical performance in the absence of expert faculty teaching

Computer-based video training is effective in teaching basic surgical skills to novices without faculty involvement using a self-directed, sequential and incremental program

“… 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 Many of these reports are of limited nature, being largely narrow in scope, limited in the number of individuals trained, and in some cases were studies to demonstrate feasibility. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 Many also required a significant skill lab component to conduct training. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 …”

“… 4 , 5 , 6 Existing reports using CBVT, however, have been limited both in the scope of skills taught or the number of trainees studied. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 Some curricula required establishment of a skills lab staffed with knowledgeable instructors. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 More complex training has been described but it has typically taught a focused skill to those with prior surgical experience.…”

Practice improves performance on a coronary anastomosis simulator, attending surgeon supervision does not

“…17 Another approach, which included viewing online material and entirely self-directed practice, resulted in significant pre-to-post improvement on objective and self-assessed measures of general surgical skills. 18 A preclinical elective course, which used a high-fidelity endovascular simulator, demonstrated increased interest in surgical subspecialties and notable pre-to-post skill improvement using objective measures. 19 We also attempted to measure the relationship between skill acquisition and interest in a career in surgery.…”

Design of vessel ligation simulator for deliberate practice

“…Although proficiency-based laboratory training and deliberate practice have proven effective in supplementing resident training and increasing skill retention, there are no widely used methods to provide immediate feedback on force exerted as part of deliberate practice toward proficiency [10,11]. The force exerted during knot-tying as an assessment tool can also potentially benefit preexisting skills evaluations.…”

“…The experts (n [ 9) achieved a significantly lower maximum force in both two-handed and one-handed vessel ligations than novices (n[ 10). There was also a significant difference between the maximum force of twohanded and one-handed vessel ligations made by novices, indicating either a greater inexperience in one-handed technique, or a generally greater force exertion in onehanded ligations.…”