ABSTRACT
Dermatological surgery training across the UK has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with reduced face-to-face clinical activity, trainee redeployment and suspension of specialist rotations. Simultaneously, the new dermatology curriculum implemented in August 2021 has set the bar for surgical competency even higher than previously, while surgical courses and meetings that trainees have relied upon to augment their skills and knowledge have had to be suspended. Achieving curriculum learning outcomes has therefore been very challenging, and has been highlighted at National Dermatology Trainee Meetings, as well as reflected in General Medical Council surveys. In response to these difficulties, the British Society for Dermatological Surgery (BSDS) and the British Association of Dermatologists have sought new ways of delivering aspects of surgical training and established the 'Virtual Surgery Learning Project' (VSLP). A pilot group of senior dermatological surgeons and a dermatology specialist trainee with interests in education and digital technology was set up to map the project in early summer 2021, to explore possible modules and secure technical support from an e-learning company with expertise in producing innovative virtual learning. Five key aspects of surgical training were identified: surgical anatomy of the head and neck, informed consent and medicolegal matters, local anaesthesia, preoperative assessment and biopsy techniques. Over 30 volunteers, comprising dermatology specialist trainees, Mohs fellows and consultants from across the country were then recruited to the project in September 2021 and divided into working groups to design the modules, each led by a consultant with an interest in medical education and/or skin surgery. The five virtual modules are each based on clinical cases encountered in daily practice. They have been developed with a key emphasis on interactive learning and innovative self-assessment features to consolidate teaching outcomes, encourage trainee engagement and facilitate deeper learning. Users can access the 45-60-min modules at their choosing on multiple platforms. The presentation will show the features of the modules, the interactivity and innovations they contain, as well as explore how the modules were developed. While not intended as a replacement for hands-on surgical experience, the VSLP goes a significant way in addressing the shortfall in surgical education and will remain a valuable learning resource, even once working patterns normalize. Furthermore, it is an important step in expanding and improving the BSDS digital education resources available to its membership and establishing a national collaborative surgical education project.