The two-week pediatric surgery rotation: Is it time wasted?

Background: With increasing medical school emphasis on generalist training and decreasing enrollment in surgical residency, the authors assessed the adequacy of a 2-week pediatric surgery rotation on meeting the learning and competency objectives outlined in The Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons' Self-Directed Evaluation Tool. Methods: A prospective survey was conducted of 39 clinical clerks. An anonymous self-assessment scale measuring competency objectives (medical and psychosocial) was administered pre-and postrotation. Also, exposure to pediatric surgical conditions from a list of "essential" and "nonessential" learning objectives was measured. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test with significance at .05 level. Results: Response rate was 77% and 54% for the competency and learning objectives, respectively. Students reported improvement in medical (P <.00001; 95% Cl, 1.30, 1.90) and psychosocial (P =.00036; 95% Cl 0.64, 1.28) competency objectives after the rotation. Almost all "essential" learning objectives were met. Overall, students reported an increased awareness of the breadth of pediatric surgical practice (P <.0001; 95% Cl 2.06, 3.18). Conclusions: A 2-week rotation in pediatric surgery appears adequate in fulfilling most competency and learning objectives, but discussion is needed about how to best assess student competency, which topics are considered essential, and the long-term effect on recruitment to the profession.