Development and evaluation of an endoscopic surgery course for medical students.

INTRODUCTION Surgical training has changed with the introduction of endoscopic surgery. However, a gap in undergraduate medical training has become evident regarding theoretical principles of and basic skills training in endoscopic surgery. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a course in endoscopic surgery for medical students. METHODS Kern's six-step approach in curriculum development was used. A course including interactive, faculty-led didactic sessions (14 hours, distributed over three days) and simulation-based basic skills training in endoscopic surgery (nine hours, distributed over four sessions) was developed. Knowledge was tested using a 35-item test before and after the course, and finally the course was evaluated electronically. The project group in cooperation with the faculty -developed the goals and objectives, the test and the evaluation questionnaire. RESULTS The test-scores significantly improved after the course, p < 0.0001, with a mean difference of 12.95 (95% confidence interval: 11.47-14.44). A total of 74% (14/19) responded that the course increased their interest in a career in a surgical specialty and 58% (11/19) were considering specialising in a surgical specialty. CONCLUSIONS A course in endoscopic surgery was developed based on Kern's six-step approach. The course was positively perceived by the students in terms of contents as well as structure and relevance. FUNDING University of Copenhagen, Aase og Ejner Danielsen Fonden, The Juliane Marie Centre for Children, Women and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet. TRIAL REGISTRATION not relevant.