Using the World Wide-Web to obtain feedback on the quality of surgical residency training

BACKGROUND: Resident feedback can lead to an improvement in teaching performance. Compliance with our previous rotation evaluation system has been poor. METHODS: Rotation evaluation forms were integrated to the departmental World-Wide-Web site. Anonymously completed evaluations are automatically sent to an appointed surgery professor via electronic mail (e-mail). They are then collated and transmitted to program directors. RESULTS: Ninety-two percent (24 of 26) of our surgical residents have an e-mail account. During the a-month trial, 18 residents completed 48 evaluations. This represents a 75% (18 of 24) compliance rate among residents with e-mail capabilities. The response rate was 82% (9 of 11) for core residents, 64% (7 of 11) for third- and fourth-year residents, and 50% (2 of 4) for chiefs. A second a-month trial yielded a 75% (18 of 24) response rate and 43 evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: The World-Wide-Web is a user-friendly medium suitable to obtain valuable feedback on the quality of residency training. Compliance was improved using this new system. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.