The education activity in the Postgraduate Surgical schools: The role of the surgical tutor as supervisor in the operating room

Abstract

The Postgraduate Surgical education is in an era of transition, in order to create physicians with skills and attitudes needed by modern health care. Many studies have examined the impact of surgical tutoring in surgical residency programs in USA Medical Schools, while few experiences are reported from European Universities. The new Italian guidelines for postgraduated education require a structured clinical learning with the supervision of a tutor (“attending surgeon”, for surgical residency); it is a challenge to describe the role of this teacher and educator, and to implement an effective evaluation of operating room teachers.

Confidential survey was administered to 14 surgical residents of the Authors’ University. Questions were related to their surgical activity and their perception of educational role of tutors in operating room and tutors’ teaching behaviors.

Residents pointed out five behaviors they perceive as signs of tutor excellence in clinical and operating room setting.

According with studies from other Universities, residents need a tutor with competency but also with good teaching skills and a mature self-perception as educator. Faculty would provide training programs for surgeons in order to improve their teaching skills and behaviors.