Development of a novel online general surgery learning platform and a qualitative preimplementation analysis

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Surgery 2021-12, Vol.64, p.S101-S102
• Main Authors: Li, C, Al Hinai, A, Cieply, A, Hawes, H, Joos, E, Saleh, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; Education; Surgeons; Surgery
• ISSN: 0008-428X; 1488-2310

Background: Quality surgical education during residency training is central to graduating competent general surgeons. Surgical education goals can be divided into knowledge, skills and judgment acquisition. Traditionally, knowledge acquisition has been delivered through scheduled didactic sessions, access to different textbooks and journal articles, and access to online resources. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the knowledge delivery methods to exclusively online content and virtual teaching. There has also been a shift in service expectations for both residents and educators, making it challenging to balance the demands of delivering and consuming high-quality educational content. Another neglected aspect of surgical education is equitable access to quality and resource-specific content for colleagues in resource-limited settings. Methods: The project aims to capture the current experience of residents, program directors and administrators in structured residency programs using a qualitative approach and to create and implement a comprehensive online curriculum designed for general surgery trainees in both high- and low-resource settings. Results: A structured interview was developed by educational experts to capture the lived experience of the interviewees. This is being administered to general surgery residency programs in Canada and through the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). The interviews are recorded, transcribed and coded to blind the participants' information and institution. A grounded theory approach to content analysis will be used to summarize interviewees' experiences and present the results as quantitative and qualitative data. The interviews and qualitative analysis will be performed by separate research team members. Conclusion: In parallel with the qualitative study, a novel online general surgery platform based on the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada objectives is being developed and implemented. Data from the qualitative analysis will be used to inform the design and content of the platform. A description of the novel platform and preliminary usage data will be presented along with the qualitative analysis.