Implementing Survey-Based Changes and Analyzing Usage in an Online Curriculum for Surgical Interns

Background: To improve the online curriculum at the authors' program, study habits and learning resources of surgical interns were evaluated. Based on the results, changes were implemented to align with their teaching conferences. We sought to determine utilization and satisfaction with the new materials. Methods: At the end of the 2017 academic year, surgical interns at a single institution voluntarily responded to an Institutional Review Board-approved survey regarding new and established learning material use and study habits. Responses were deidentified. Descriptive statistics were performed on demographics. Likert responses underwent Mann-Whitney analysis (alpha = 0.05). Results: The response rate was 52.9% (n = 9). The internet was the most-used resource (P < 0.05). All respondents used the internet to varying degrees. Textbooks and the internet were always used by 22.2%. 33.3% never used textbooks to study. There was a statistically significant increase in internet access but not with other materials (P < 0.05). Regarding new material organized from the pilot, none was consistently accessed. 55.6% sometimes used new weekly reading links associated with a question bank. 66.7% were somewhat satisfied with these links. 44.4% were somewhat satisfied with new video links, organized in parallel with This Week in Surgical Council on Resident Education. Limited sample size did not allow for meaningful statistical analysis of material use with American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination scores. Conclusions: Overall, materials organized based on pilot study feedback were not widely used, and satisfaction was limited. The statistically significant increase in use of internet resources warrants attention. Focusing changes in future curricular design may help create a more effective learning environment. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.