A structured conference program improves competency-based surgical education

BackgroundWork hour restrictions and new educational standards pose substantial challenges for modern residency programs. We present results from an institutional effort to improve resident education using a competency-based conference program.MethodsThe conference program is a weekly 3-hour mandatory block of protected time including a formal lecture series and a modular series tailored to resident level. A comprehensive survey was administered to all general surgery residents before (2005) and after (2006) implementation of the new conference program and included specific items related to the 6 competencies.ResultsScores for 16 competency-related items all showed statistically significant improvement. We also found improvements in residents' perceptions of the faculty. Overall, the new conference program was rated positively by 98% of residents.ConclusionsImplementation of a structured conference program resulted in significant improvement in residents' evaluation of their education in the 6 competencies and improved their perceptions of the faculty.