Abstrakt
Background: Medical simulation has become an integral part of modern-day surgical training. Despite its benefits, it is still not widely incorporated in the curriculum of trainees.
The Urology Boot Camp (USBC) is an innovative 5-day course aimed at trainees entering the UK training scheme. Since its implementation, there's been increasing interest by non-UK trainees.
Objective: To assess the experiences of non-UK trainees in the USBC, both quantitatively and qualitatively, including skills progression analysis. Design, setting and participants: This double-group cohort retrospective study included 20 delegates from non-UK countries and 76 trainees from UK who attended the USBC in 2017 and 2018.
Trainees undertook pre- and post-course MCQs, pre-course operative experience questionnaires and a 12-month post-course survey on the usefulness of the skills acquired. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Differences in mean MCQ scores between UK and non-UK delegates at baseline and after the course were assessed by the independent T-test.
Each core urology procedural skill was evaluated by an expert and graded according to a Likert scale (1-5). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess the differences in the scores between both groups on endourotogical techniques.
A Likert scale (1-5) was used to grade the participants' answers to the post-course 12-month survey. Results and limitations: Trainees from UK scored significantly higher in the pre-course MCQ assessment, however after completion of the boot camp, no significant difference was noted.
There were no differences between the groups at e-BLUS completion times, and both groups significantly improved their results. A 12-month post-course survey on the utility of training during the boot camp and qualitative evaluation of the course by overseas delegates was very positive.
Conclusions: The USBC is a valuable learning experience that leads to improvement of technical and soft skills of UK and non-UK trainees alike.