Organization of the department of surgery to facilitate undergraduate education.

The chairman of the department of surgery is responsible for undergraduate education and should develop an organizational structure involving a director of undergraduate education for the every-day running of the undergraduate program and the determination of policies. This person should hold a relatively senior position and should have undergone specialist postgraduate training in educational methods and theory. The director should be supported by appropriate secretarial services and be compensated for this; the director should also sit on the faculty medical curriculum committee to close the circle of policy made at this committee with departmental policy. The departmental undergraduate education committee should include representatives from all hospitals involved in undergraduate education with representatives from the various systems. Some doubling up of representatives can occur. There should be a review process of both teaching methods and faculty teaching. The former will encourage change where appropriate and the latter award individuals for their contribution to the teaching process.