Do not teach me while I am working!

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine if technical surgical experience enhances the learning of new cognitive information under multitasking conditions.MethodsJunior (years 1–3) and experienced (years 4 and 5) general surgery residents performed a Nissen fundoplication on a synthetic model (the primary task). While performing the primary task, they listened to and memorized information describing the steps of a computer-assisted hip replacement surgery (the secondary task). Performance on the primary and secondary tasks was assessed using performance metrics and multiple-choice questions.ResultsThe primary task was performed better by the senior than the junior trainees (P = .001, P = .007). The senior trainees also scored higher on the secondary task than the junior trainees (P = .001).ConclusionsSenior trainees have superior capacity to multitask. This may have direct implications on both clinical and simulation-based education, such that educators need to adjust the amount of information presented in accordance to trainees' levels of training.