Teaching Uncommon Diseases in Surgery: Conceptual Framework for the Development of a Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Curriculum

Abstract

Background: There is a critical need for contemporary education to address peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM). This study delineates the development of an online PSM curriculum for surgical trainees, in conjunction with a national consortium. Methods: A needs assessment survey was administered to attending surgical oncologists and trainees within the consortium, with a focus on current educational practices and preferences for PSM training. The identified focus areas informed the formulation of specific learning objectives and content. Results: The survey was completed by of 86/171 (48.5%) attending surgical oncologists in the group and 70 surgical trainees (56 residents and 14 fellows) from 31 unique institutions. Attending surgical oncologists emphasized trainee familiarity with general PSM principles and peritoneal metastases from lower gastrointestinal and gastric cancers when compared to gynecologic cancers and uncommon primaries (p < 0.001). Attending expectations increased incrementally with the trainee level in the knowledge and patient care domains. Attendings and trainees identified didactics and textbooks as primary modes of learning, although trainees reported using mobile learning tools more frequently. Disease site-specific educational content aligned with learning objectives was uploaded to a previously piloted online learning management system. Clinical management pathways and rotation guides were integrated to enhance the clinical applicability and consistency. Conclusions: Designing a PSM curriculum tailored to the educational needs of both attendants and trainees is feasible by using established pedagogical methods. This study provides a framework for teaching about complex diseases with limited educational literature.