Designing, developing and implementing a 2-year, simulation-embedded curriculum for junior surgical residentsTY - Original article AU - Marina Yiasemidou AU - Andrew Kordowicz AU - Jonathan de Siqueira and Michael J. Gough A2 - T1 - Designing, developing and implementing a 2-year, simulation-embedded curriculum for junior surgical residents Y1 - 2017-07-11 PY - JF - M3 - doi: 10.1102/2051-7726.2017.0003 SP - 10 EP - 16 UR - VL - 4 AB - Aim: To develop and implement a comprehensive, quality-assured, cost-effective curriculum for junior surgical residents (core surgical trainees) and to assess its face and content validity. Hypothesis: A 2-year, hands-on curriculum teaching technical and non-technical skills in an array of surgical specialties (general surgery, trauma and orthopaedics, paediatric surgery, urology and cardiothoracic surgery) is feasible, cost-effective and well received by residents. Methods: The population included core surgical trainees in Yorkshire and the Humber region. We designed a comprehensive core surgical training curriculum aiming to teach both technical and non-technical skills. To enhance the didactic impact of the curriculum, we introduced a multimedia channel and made free-style training in fully equipped education centres available to trainees. The implemented changes were evaluated prospectively by means of a questionnaire. Results: The curriculum designed included 54 topics from the UK Core Surgical Training syllabus in addition to five sessions with of non-technical skills scenarios. These were supplemented by a multimedia online channel and facilitation of free-style training in state-of-art centres. Trainees rated the curriculum using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire (response rate, 88%). They found the curriculum to be fit for purpose for acquiring technical and non-technical skills (median, 5/5; interquartile 1st–3rd, 4–5) and viewed curriculum delivery positively (faculty, 5/5, 4–5; equipment, 5/5, 4–5). Conclusions: Simulation and technology-enhanced learning was well received by core surgical trainees. This is likely to be associated with the structured curriculum design, the quality assurance process o