What Are We Trying To Teach? A Content Analysis of Pediatric Surgery Rotation Objectives in General Surgery Training

In brief

This study examines the educational curricula for pediatric surgery rotations in general surgery residency programs by analyzing written goals and objectives from orientation materials. The research addresses the lack of standardized curriculum in mandatory pediatric surgery training and evaluates how programs communicate learning expectations to residents.

• Pediatric surgery is a mandatory rotation for general surgery residents, yet no standardized national curriculum exists.
• Written goals and objectives serve as key tools for communicating educational expectations during rotations.
• Current study evaluates how pediatric surgery programs use orientation materials to define learning outcomes for trainees.
• Significant variability likely exists in what general surgery residents learn during pediatric surgery rotations.
• Standardizing rotation objectives could improve consistency and quality of pediatric surgery education across programs.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.