Orientation to the Operating Room: An Introduction to the Surgery Clerkship for Third-Year Medical Students.

Introduction: The operating room is a complex environment in which individual team members perform specific tasks according to their role. A simulation activity was created to introduce medical students on the surgery clerkship to issues relating to patient safety, infection control, and regulatory requirements. Methods: This activity takes place prior to general surgery rotation operative experiences, and addresses the need for students to practice roles they will perform while participating in patient care. The activity includes a simulated operation, an assessment, and a scripted debriefing. Among other tasks, students practice safe patient transfer and monitoring, donning sterile garb, preparing the surgical site, and being active participants in a sign-in and time-out. Students are assessed on assigned tasks, their ability to maintain sterility, and the degree to which they engage with their team. Results: Students reported the simulation helped them better understand how they could become involved on their first day in the operating room. Students also reported they were more confident when in the operating room. This finding also extended to students who had previously been in the operating room during a prior OB/GYN rotation. Discussion: Patient safety is paramount when in the operating room, and this simulation activity fills a current gap in student's practical knowledge as they prepare to enter their surgery clerkship. Giving medical students the information and skills needed to be safe and effective members of the operating team prior to entering the operating room is of benefit to the surgical team, students, and patients.

Nurses in medical education: A unique opportunity.

Medical students are expected to learn certain procedural skills in addition to clinical skills, such as assessment and decision making. There is much literature that shows proficiency in procedural skills translated to improved outcomes and cost-saving. Given the time constraints placed by increasing clinical demands, physicians have less time to work with students in teaching technical skills. There is a unique opportunity to utilize nurses in clinical clerkships to teach procedural skills. A dedicated nurse educator can provide a consistent curriculum, work with learners to achieve proficiency, and provide measurable outcomes. Future research should explore the role played by nurses in medical education and the comparison of instructional effectiveness.