Statement on surgical preresidency preparatory courses.

The following statement on surgical pre-residency preparatory courses has been approved by the American Board of Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, the Association of Program Directors in Surgery, and the Association for Surgical Education: The leadership of the surgical community is actively engaged in improving the preparation of incoming residents to assume responsibility and accountability for key elements of care and stewardship. To better prepare for this transition, it is essential that all matriculants to surgery residency successfully complete a preparatory course of blended learning that specifically addresses essential components of quality care and patient safety before the start of their training. A national multidimensional curriculum, along with objective assessment tools, has been developed to accelerate readiness, responsibility, and accountability during the transition from medical school to surgery residency. We strongly endorse this effort and encourage medical schools to adopt this or a similar program. We stand ready to assist medical schools and medical students in implementation of this important initiative.