Surgical Residents' Perception of Multi-Specialty Learning.

OBJECTIVE: Perceptions are important and can affect efficacy of trainer-trainee interactions. Inherent bias toward other specialties may influence the perceived benefit of a multi-specialty learning environment. The aim of this work was to determine surgical resident perceptions regarding the utility of learning from faculty and with learners from other surgical specialties. DESIGN: We measured surgical residents' perceptions before and after a multi-specialty robotic simulation event. Pre- and post-activity surveys were administered electronically to all residents determining previous experience with robotic surgery, perceptions of learning from faculty in different surgical sub-specialties, and of learning from and with residents in other surgical specialties. SETTING: Robotic simulation laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: General surgery (GS), Obstetrics and gynecology (OBG), and Urology (URO) residents in one academic healthcare program. RESULTS: Prior to the simulation, OBG and URO residents perceived highest utility in learning from faculty within their own specialty. While OBG residents reported high pre-activity agreement that learning from other faculty was useful, more than 50% of GS and URO residents were neutral or disagreed that learning from OBG faculty was useful. Pre-activity, all specialties perceived highest value in learning from and about residents of their own specialty. Following the educational event, all specialties reported increased agreement that learning from faculty of different specialties had utility. Following the simulation, the cohort reported the multi-specialty learning environment improved their knowledge and confidence in robotic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in a multi-specialty educational event can improve perceptions of surgical residents regarding the utility of being taught by faculty in different specialties. Resident opinion of the benefits of learning with and about learners from other specialties can also be improved. Multi-specialty learning environments are important in developing communities of practice to allow socialization and promotion of positive identity development in our surgical residents, which may ultimately benefit efficacy of learning and patient care.

AHRQ Series on Improving Translation of Evidence: Linking Evidence Reports and Performance Measures to Help Learning Health Systems Use New Information for Improvement.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) reports are lengthy and difficult for health systems to navigate. A quality measure index was created to allow health systems to more efficiently access information relevant to their needs. METHODS: Two tables were embedded in an EPC report. The first identified quality measures covered by the report with descriptive information. The second contained page numbers in the report's executive summary addressing these quality measures, with hyperlinks to navigate to those pages. The researchers received feedback on the tables from four health system representatives and enhanced the tables. An exercise with two health system-targeted scenarios was then created. Three trainees (one medical fellow and two pharmacy students) and two health system representatives from a large community and a small rural health system completed the exercise, with and without the enhanced tables. They timed how long it took to find answers to scenario questions and provided general feedback. RESULTS: It took 63.4% less time to find quality measure information when the hyperlinked quality measure indexing tables were used (11.0 ± 5.0 vs. 4.0 ± 3.5 minutes; p = 0.002). The health system representatives stated that the quality measure indexed tables were very easy to use and that if these tables were used in future reports they were "somewhat" or "very likely" to use quality measure-indexed EPC reports in the future. CONCLUSION: A unique concept that can allow EPC reports to be more user friendly to health systems was identified. The refined quality measure-indexed tables enhanced the efficiency of finding information and the overall likability of the report.