Can a teaching assistant experience in a surgical anatomy course influence the learning curve for nontechnical skill development for surgical residents?

Mark J. Heidenreich, Tashinga Musonza, Wojciech Pawlina, Nirusha Lachman

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debatepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The foundation upon which surgical residents are trained to work comprises more than just critical cognitive, clinical, and technical skill. In an environment where the synchronous application of expertise is vital to patient outcomes, the expectation for optimal functioning within a multidisciplinary team is extremely high. Studies have shown that for most residents, one of the most difficult milestones in the path to achieving professional expertise in a surgical career is overcoming the learning curve. This view point commentary provides a reflection from the two senior medical students who have participated in the Student-as-Teacher program developed by the Department of Anatomy at Mayo Clinic, designed to prepare students for their teaching assistant (TA) role in anatomy courses. Both students participated as TAs in a six week surgical anatomy course for surgical first assistant students offered by the School of Health Sciences at Mayo Clinic. Development of teaching skills, nontechnical leadership, communication, and assessment skills, are discussed in relation to their benefits in preparing senior medical students for surgical residency.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)97-100
Number of pages4
JournalAnatomical Sciences Education
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2016

Keywords

  • Allied health education
  • Communication skills
  • Gross anatomy education
  • Leadership
  • Nontechnical skills
  • Residency education
  • Students-as-teachers
  • Surgical first assistant students
  • Surgical training
  • Teaching assistants

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy
  • Histology
  • Embryology

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