A transition to discipline curriculum for pediatric surgery trainees: Evaluation of a pediatric surgery boot camp from 2017 to 2018

IntroductionBoot camps seek to impart knowledge and skills for individuals entering new roles. We sought to evaluate knowledge, skills, and confidence of in-coming pediatric surgery trainees with a 2.5-day pediatric surgery boot camp.MethodsA curriculum included key aspects of pediatric surgery delivered during interactive lectures, small group discussions, and simulation. With REB approval, participant demographics were collected. Pre- and posttests assessed knowledge and trainee confidence. Comparative statistics and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were performed.ResultsBetween 2017 and 2018, 16 individuals from North American pediatric surgery training programs participated in two boot camps. Ten had North American general surgery training, and eleven had no pediatric surgery exposure ≥ 1 year prior. All participants expressed increased confidence with course material after boot camp [F(18,11) = 3.137;p < 0.05]. Performance improved significantly (pre- vs. posttests, 47.0% vs. 62.4%; p < 0.05). MANOVA between faculty and trainees demonstrated agreement on the value of individual sessions [F(15,3) = 0.642;p = 0.76]. Neonatal bowel obstruction, gastrostomy tube complications, esophageal atresia, pain management, and informed consent were rated most useful.ConclusionTrainees and teaching faculty considered the boot camp valuable. Trainees demonstrated significant improvements in core knowledge and confidence. The initial pediatric surgery boot camp experience shows promise in facilitating the transition to discipline for new trainees.Study typeProspective treatment study.Level of evidenceIV.