Session Design Submission Review

No

Yes

Research plays a pivotal role in building a successful career in academic surgery, regardless of one’s stage in the process. However, for medical students and other early-stage trainees, added difficulty often comes from being new to the field and lacking prior experience. Once a mentor has been identified, and there is familiarity with the relevant terminology, newly developed methodological skills, and, ideally, some compelling results, the next step is to present the findings. This is often the stage when the familiar, and sometimes daunting, phrase is introduced: “Write up a draft, and we’ll go from there.” Now what?

This interactive workshop is intended for medical students/trainees new to developing their academic writing skills. Participants will be divided into five small groups, each focused on one of the workshop’s core objectives. Participants will be assigned to each group and paired with 1–2 facilitators selected from the GSE-JASE reviewer pool and members of the editorial board. The workshop will consist of five 15-minute rotating sessions, bookended by a 5-minute introduction and a 5-minute closing. Participants will have the opportunity to register in advance and indicate their top three preferred stations to ensure a tailored and engaging experience.

• “Peer Review, Please”

This roundtable will examine the critical role of peer review in medical education scholarship. Discussion topics will include how to become a peer reviewer, the logistics and timelines involved in the peer review process, and best practices for preparing a manuscript for successful review. Real-world examples will be shared to illustrate what reviewers look for and how they approach evaluating submissions.

• “Choose Your Own (Study) Adventure”

This session will guide participants through the process of selecting appropriate study designs for medical education research. Depending on the group’s experience level, discussion may begin with foundational concepts such as formulating a research question. Facilitators will share personal insight, including both successes and challenges, related to methodological decisions in medical education project formation. 

• “Reporting Results the Right Way”

This table will focus on effective strategies for reporting findings in medical education research. Participants will explore reporting guidelines such as CONSORT, with facilitators offering practical advice based on their own experiences. Emphasis will be placed on clarity, transparency, and the inclusion of essential data elements that enhance the impact and credibility of research findings.

• “Intro to the Introduction”

Crafting a compelling introduction can be one of the most challenging aspects of academic writing. This table will delve into the art of crafting an engaging and comprehensive introduction. Participants will explore strategies for writing effective introductions, including how to provide relevant background, establish clinical or educational significance, and identify knowledge gaps that justify the research question.

• “Discussion: Making Sense of Your Results”

This table will help participants understand how to construct a meaningful and coherent discussion section. Key elements will include interpreting findings within the broader context of medical education, acknowledging limitations, and proposing future directions. Examples of strong discussion sections will be analyzed, and common pitfalls will be highlighted to help attendees avoid them in their own writing.

90-minute workshop

Yes

Yes

Articulate the peer review process and its role in academic publishing to undergraduate trainees.

Introduce trainees to appropriate study designs for surgical education research questions.

Familiarize trainees with CONSORT and other reporting standards for medical education studies.

Show trainees how to write compelling introductions that establish clinical relevance and knowledge gaps.

Demonstrate how to create discussion sections that interpret results within the surgical education context.