A 1-day simulation-based boot camp for incoming general surgery residents improves confidence and technical skills.

BACKGROUND:For surgery residents, opportunities to systematically learn about surgical equipment are limited. Our facility holds a simulation-based boot camp for incoming, first-year general surgery residents. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this boot camp at increasing resident confidence and improving technical skills. METHODS:Boot camp for incoming surgery residents is held annually and provides hands-on simulation relating to endoscopy, laparoscopy, bronchoscopy, and abdominal access. Before the boot camp, participants completed a pretest, which includes self-confidence, experience, and a skills-assessment. Identical assessments of self-confidence and skills were completed after the boot camp as a posttest. Data was accrued from 2016 to 2018. RESULTS:A total of 26, first-year, general surgery residents participated in the boot camp. Most participants had never used an endoscopic simulator (61.5%), handled a colonoscope (57.7%), a gastroscope (80.8%), or gained operative access to the abdomen (76.9%). The assessments of self-confidence and skills demonstrated a mean increase in all 4 topics. All differentials demonstrated statistical significance (P <. 001). CONCLUSION:A 1-day, simulation-based boot camp for incoming surgery residents with a focus on endoscopy, laparoscopy, and abdominal access increases resident confidence as well as several basic aspects of technical skill.