Design and implementation of the 2012 Canadian shoulder course for senior orthopedic residents

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present paper is to analyze the first edition of a comprehensive shoulder course for senior orthopedic surgery residents and the chosen evaluation tools. HYPOTHESIS: A course focusing on shoulder surgery, requested by graduating residents in orthopedic surgery, will have a strong level of satisfaction and help improve skills, knowledge, and problem solving abilities in this domain as measured by a pre and post-test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A two-day course was created with practical sessions, lectures, and case studies. Participants were given a multiple choice pre and post course test and evaluation questionnaires after each session. RESULTS: Sixty residents attended the course. Nine of the fifteen sessions scored above the 90% satisfaction cut-off; none of the sessions scored below 80%. However, only one question showed a statistically significant improvement after the course. DISCUSSION: Response to this course was overwhelmingly positive and the sessions received positive evaluations. However, the method to evaluate residents was not adequate; residents reported learning on their freeform evaluations but this was not represented on the multiple choice evaluation method. Evaluation tools and course duration will be modified in future iterations to improve assessment and teaching. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV. STUDY DESIGN: Observational.