Poster5 - 09: USING PRE- AND POST-ASSESSMENTS TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK IN WRIST BLOCK EDUCATION
Ji H Son, Katherine Grunzweig, Tiffany Wu, Anand Kumar; University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center / Case Western

INTRODUCTION: Plastic surgery resident education models are rapidly developing with the advent of the core curriculum model. The purpose of this study was to evaluate efficacy of short teaching activities based on pre- and post-test models for learning wrist blocks. Additionally, this curriculum model provides immediate feedback, facilitating knowledge and skills acquisition.

METHODS:  Total of nine plastic surgery trainees (Post-Graduate Year 1-6) participated. Pre- and post-tests consisted of written exam and videotaped sessions in which the trainee identifies anatomic landmarks for the radial nerve block, palmar ulnar nerve block, dorsal ulnar nerve block, and median nerve block. A ten-minute lecture was given to the trainees regarding wrist block between pre- and post-tests. Written exam assessed trainees’ knowledge with total score of 10. The videotaped sessions were viewed and evaluated using a binary scale for identifying correct landmarks. Results were analyzed with Student t test, with P less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance.

RESULTS: Nine trainees participated in this study. Participant performance was analyzed by trainee levels – junior, midlevel, and senior. Senior residents had the highest average pre-test score and lowest improvement in the videotaped session. Midlevel residents had the highest average pre-test in the written exam. Junior residents had the lowest average pre-test score and the highest improvement in both written and videotaped session. Time to complete the task in the videotaped session had no correlation with training level. Overall, improvement in scores were statistically significant across all levels of training.

CONCLUSION: As expected, in general senior trainees performed on average better than junior trainees. Structuring core curriculum using pre- and post-tests consisting of written exam and videotaped practicum sessions with focused, concise lectures provide immediate feedback and guide residents in improvement of performance.