Implementation of electronic logbook for trainees of general surgery in Thailand

摘要

Background: All trainees are required to keep a record of their surgical skill and experiences throughout the training period in a logbook format. Paper-based logbook has several limitations. Therefore, an electronic logbook was introduced to replace the paper-based logbook. Material and Method: An electronic logbook program was developed in November 2005. This program was designed as web-based application based upon PHP scripts beneath Apache web server and MySQL database implementation. Only simplified and essential data, such as hospital number, diagnosis, surgical procedure, and pathological findings, etc. are recorded. The electronic logbook databases between Academic year 2006 and 2011 were analyzed. Results: The annual recorded surgical procedures gradually increased from 41,214 procedures in 2006 to 66,643 procedures in 2011. Around one-third of all records were not verified by attending staffs, i.e. 27.59% (2006), 31.69% (2007), 18.06% (2008), 28.42% (2009), 30.18% (2010), and 31.41% (2011). On the Education year 2011, the three most common procedural groups included colon, rectum & anus group, appendix group, and vascular group, respectively. Conclusion: Advantages of the electronic logbook included more efficient data access, increased ability to monitor trainees and trainers, and analysis of procedural varieties among the training institutes.