Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Cognitive challenges of junior residents attempting to learn surgical skills by observing procedures.

BACKGROUND: Surgical observation is an integral part of surgical training. Junior residents, who have limited understanding of the procedures being performed, use observation to gain an initial exposure to surgical techniques. This study explores the challenges junior residents face from a cognitive standpoint when they are observing surgery.

METHODS: Four focus groups were conducted with 18 general surgery junior residents. Transcripts from these focus groups were analyzed using a qualitative interpretative approach and the findings were explored through the lenses of discovery learning and cognitive load theory.

RESULTS: Surgical observation is perceived by residents as a learning activity with rich potential. However, two main challenges were identified: directing their attention to the most pertinent element during observation and making sense of what is happening during procedures.

CONCLUSIONS: This study can inform strategies to help junior residents observe surgeries more efficiently to help make surgical observation a better learning experience.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app