Elhilu Abdelkhalig, Ghazwani Salman, Adawi Essa A, Abdelwahab Siddig I
Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU.
Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU.
Cureus. 2024 Apr 1;16(4):e57412. doi: 10.7759/cureus.57412. eCollection 2024 Apr.
The role of interns during general surgical rotation is crucial in shaping their future careers as surgeons. Surgical rotation offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in fast-paced and challenging environments. However, interns often face significant challenges in obtaining the necessary practical training to develop proficiency in surgical techniques. This article aims to analyze some aspects of the accumulated competency of interns during their general surgery rotation, focusing on the range of skills and knowledge gained, in addition to the challenges faced.
We conducted a cross-sectional study using an anonymous web-based self-assessment questionnaire. The target population of the study included all Jazan University medical interns enrolled in the academic year 2022-2023.
Most participants showed low-to-average levels of proficiency in monitoring clinical evolution and treatment plans, ranging from fundamental awareness (n = 17, 17.5%) to working knowledge (n = 51, 52.6%), with only three participants (3.1%) reporting an expert level of proficiency. The same pattern was observed in the documentation of patient records (range: 7.2%, n = 7 for fundamental awareness to 42.3%, n = 41 for working knowledge). However, a significant proportion saw themselves as either proficient (n = 23, 23.7%) or experts (n = 15, 15.5%) in this aspect. Regarding bedside procedures, such as venipuncture, proctoscopy, nasogastric tube insertion, and urethral catheterization, the participants showed different proficiency levels, with the lowest in proctoscopy, where 66 (68.0%) of the participants reported only fundamental awareness. The results also revealed low perceived proficiency in performing surgical skin incisions, wound suturing, knot tying, application of surgical skin clips, and abscess drainage, with the lowest proficiency observed in the excision of superficial lumps as more than half of the participants reported only fundamental awareness (n = 51, 52.6%).
The results of this study indicate that documentation and monitoring of patient progress are the competencies mastered most by the majority of interns during their rotations in general surgery. However, the interns' overall level of proficiency in bedside procedures and basic surgical skills acquired during their rotation was low to average. Additionally, interns were dissatisfied with their training and the opportunities provided for them to actively engage in performing procedures in the operating room. This low proficiency is unrelated to pre-internship academic achievement, sex, or interest in future surgical careers. This suggests that efforts are needed to develop strategies to enhance interns' satisfaction and engagement, ultimately improving their overall experience during internships.
实习生在普通外科轮转期间的表现对于塑造他们未来作为外科医生的职业生涯至关重要。外科轮转提供了一个独特的机会，让实习生在快节奏且具有挑战性的环境中获得宝贵的实践经验。然而，实习生在获得必要的实践培训以熟练掌握外科技术方面常常面临重大挑战。本文旨在分析实习生在普通外科轮转期间积累的能力的某些方面，重点关注所获得的技能和知识范围以及所面临的挑战。
我们使用基于网络的匿名自我评估问卷进行了一项横断面研究。该研究的目标人群包括2022 - 2023学年所有在吉赞大学就读的医学实习生。
大多数参与者在监测临床进展和治疗计划方面表现出低至中等水平的熟练程度，从基本认知（n = 17，17.5%）到实用知识（n = 51，52.6%），只有三名参与者（3.1%）报告达到专家级熟练程度。在患者记录的记录方面也观察到相同的模式（范围：基本认知为7.2%，n = 7；实用知识为42.3%，n = 41）。然而，很大一部分人认为自己在这方面熟练（n = 23，23.7%）或为专家（n = 15，15.5%）。关于床边操作，如静脉穿刺、直肠镜检查、鼻胃管插入和尿道插管，参与者表现出不同的熟练程度，直肠镜检查方面最低，66名（68.0%）参与者仅报告有基本认知。结果还显示在进行手术皮肤切口、伤口缝合、打结、应用手术皮肤夹和脓肿引流方面的自我感知熟练程度较低，在浅表肿块切除方面熟练程度最低，超过一半的参与者仅报告有基本认知（n = 51，52.6%）。
本研究结果表明，患者病情记录和监测是大多数实习生在普通外科轮转期间掌握最多的能力。然而，实习生在轮转期间获得的床边操作和基本外科技能的总体熟练程度低至中等。此外，实习生对他们的培训以及为他们提供的在手术室积极参与操作的机会不满意。这种低熟练程度与实习前的学业成绩、性别或对未来外科职业的兴趣无关。这表明需要努力制定策略来提高实习生的满意度和参与度，最终改善他们实习期间的总体体验。
