AB069. 191. Establishing a surgical basecamp for undergraduates commencing clinical surgery module

Background: New models of undergraduate teaching are needed alongside advances in surgery. Boot camps are in-training postgraduate courses combining simulation-based practice with other educational methods to enhance learning and preparation for individuals entering new clinical roles. We piloted and introduced a 1-day intensive learning experience (“surgical basecamp”) to ease the transition of medical students commencing our clinical surgery module to maximise their subsequent learning opportunity, ease the transition and engage staff/student relationship.

Methods: Induction for stage III medical students over four sessions between in August 2017 and October 2018 with preceptorship and instruction provided collaboratively by consultants, NCHDs and anatomists. Students rotated through stations comprising: (I) simulation theatre-(virtual reality immersion, surgical and gaming scrub, cognitive experience and consent/postop charting); (II) laparoscopic (FLS curriculum) and open instrument skills/knot tying; (III) Anatomy Reviser and tasked focussed operation on human cadavers. Attendees were surveyed on completion by standardised questionnaire.

Results: A total of 323 students attended with 254 returning the structured feedback questionnaire (79% response rate). Feedback scores detailed broad appreciation and value assignment with laparoscopic and bench skills ranked highest satisfaction scoring a mean value of 5.5/6 closely followed by anatomy reviser 5.2/6 and simulation theatre 4.9/6. Narrative feedback indicated high 360° positivity with most wanting frequent re-immersion. Interest to repeat the module consisted of 87% of respondents for anatomy reviser, 89% for bench skills and 48%for simulation theatre.

Conclusions: Induction in this format sets up useful theatre expectation, encourages participation and exposure while providing vertical integration between preclinical and clinical curricula.

Keywords: Basecamp; experience; education; immersion; surgery