A needs assessment for first-year surgical residents entering the intensive care setting

The purpose of this study was to identify what first-year surgical residents perceive they need to learn before starting their rotations in the intensive care unit and determine whether perceptions of learning needs varied between PGY-1 and PGY 3-5 residents and residency programs. A survey was used to assess perceptions of what PGY-1s felt were their current levels of proficiency with 55 items before starting their intern year. PGY 3-5s were asked to reflect back and indicate how proficient they believed they were with these items before their intern year. PGY-1s rated only two items, "Initiating ACLS Protocols" and "Dietary Support Aides," with mean ratings below three on the five-point scale. There were no items rated below three by PGY 3-5s. Results of analysis of variance identified six items with significantly different mean ratings by PGY-1s and 16 items by PGY 3-5s among schools (p < 0.05). This needs assessment identified items that respondents felt deficient with in areas previously established as prerequisite learning objectives. The next step is to develop specific goals and objectives related to their identified needs and develop instructional methods for assisting residents in meeting these learning needs.