Individual didactic sessions or group lectures for teaching the foot and ankle to orthopaedic residents

摘要

Background: The relative efficacy of individual didactic sessions or group lectures in teaching the foot and ankle to orthopaedic residents is unknown.Method:Ten fourth year (R4) orthopaedic residents received individual didactic teaching sessions during a 1-month foot and ankle rotation, and 12 fifth year (R5) orthopaedic residents who had no foot and ankle rotation received a series of group lectures. Foot and ankle knowledge level was evaluated before and after the teaching programs with multiple choice tests.Results: The average test score for all residents was significantly improved from before to after the teaching programs (all residents:pre-test,51+-11%;post-test,66+-8%;P< 0.0001).There was no difference between the R4 and R5 resident groups in average pre-test score or post-test score. The improvement in test scores from the pre-test to the post-test was similar for the R4 and R5 resident groups. Conclusions: Individual didactic sessions and group lectures were equally effective in encouraging learning and improving knowledge level of the foot and ankle. The key factors in significantly improving knowledge of the foot and ankle were the presence of a formal teaching program to stimulate learning and the availability of an active Foot and Ankle Service with dedicated attending foot and ankle subspecialist surgeons.