Skill-Based Surgical Training: the Need of the Hour

Excerpt

Medical education has evolved from on-job training in 1850, discipline-based curriculum during 1850–1950, organ-system-based curriculum during 1950–1960, problem-based learning in 1960, and competency-based/outcome-based education in 2000 [1]. Acquiring skills is a crucial aspect of the training process for surgical residents during their postgraduate studies. Progressing through various levels, from novice or advanced beginner to competent and proficient, they must demonstrate the “Shows How” and “Does” competencies according to Miller’s pyramid of clinical competence [2]. Noel Burch’s Conscious Competence Ladder model emphasizes the influence of awareness (consciousness) and skill level (competence) on learners’ thinking as they acquire new skills. As trainees progress through the four levels—unconsciously unskilled, consciously unskilled, consciously skilled, and unconsciously skilled—they have the opportunity to develop competence in the new skill [3]. …