Catch me if you can...early simulation efforts affect fundamental surgical skill assessment scores

BACKGROUND: We evaluated whether early exposure to a simulation curriculum enhances acquired surgical skills. METHODS: The "Surgical Olympics'' evaluates interns on basic surgical skills and knowledge. After the Summer Olympics (July), interns were randomly divided into groups: "A'' participated in a 7-week curriculum once a week, whereas "B'' attended 7 weeks of lectures once a week. All interns then participated in the October Olympics. The 2 groups then switched. Finally, all interns completed a January Olympics. RESULTS: Scores were tabulated for the July, October, and January Olympics. Mean scores (A = 182 +/- 42, Group B = 188 +/- 34; P = .70) were similar in July; in October, group A (mean score 5 237 6 31) outperformed group B (mean score = 200 +/- 32; P = .01). Mean total scores in January (A = 290 +/- 34, B 5 276 +/- 34; P = .32) were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Early exposure to a surgical simulation curriculum enhances surgical intern performance in our Surgical Olympics. Subsequent simulation experience helps learners close this gap. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.