835 Evaluation of an International Virtual Teaching Series for UK Academic Foundation Programme Applications and Interviews: A Cross-Sectional Study

Youssef, S; Zaidi, S; Lambie, M; Ahmed, S

Abstract

Background UK academic foundation programme (AFP) is an important steppingstone into academic surgical training, but there is paucity in undergraduate preparedness. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual webinar series to prepare students for applications and interviews. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted between 18/10/2020 – 19/12/2020. Ethical approval was not required as this was an evaluation of teaching interventions. Medical students interested in AFP were included. Three 1-hour presentations, delivered by two AFP doctors, focused on evidence-based frameworks to approach AFP applications, critical appraisal, personal and clinical interviews. Pre- and post-webinar electronic surveys compared preparedness in self-reported knowledge (SRK) and confidence (SRC) on a Likert scale (1: not knowledgeable/confident – 5: very knowledgeable/confident). SPSS v27.0 was used to perform Wilcoxon Signed-rank test; P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Mean attendance per presentation was 136, with 93(68.4%) pre-webinar responses and 62(45.6%) post-webinar responses. Both SRK and SRC regarding AFP applications improved by the same value (median 3 versus 4; p < 0.0001). Both SRK and SRC in critical appraisal also improved by the same value (median 2 versus 4; p < 0.0001). SRK and SRC in using interview answer frameworks (SPIES, STARR and CAMP) improved from median 2 versus 4 (p < 0.0001) and median 1 versus 4 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Across all pre-surveys, 129(46.4%) had no preference regarding teaching platforms, 115(41.3%) preferred webinars and 34(12.2%) preferred face-to-face teaching. Conclusions Webinars, teaching evidence-based frameworks can improve preparedness for AFP applications and interviews. Medical schools should address students’ perceived lack of knowledge and confidence in critical appraisal.

Citation

Youssef, S., Zaidi, S., Lambie, M., & Ahmed, S. (2021). 835 Evaluation of an International Virtual Teaching Series for UK Academic Foundation Programme Applications and Interviews: A Cross-Sectional Study. British Journal of Surgery, 108(Supplement_6), https://doi.org/10.1093/bjs/znab259.876

• Journal Article Type: Conference Paper
• Conference Name: 2021 Association of Surgeons in Training International Surgical Conference
• Acceptance Date: Oct 12, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 12, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Journal: British Journal of Surgery
• Print ISSN: 0007-1323
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 108
• Issue: Supplement_6
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjs/znab259.876
• Keywords: Surgery
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/bjs/article/108/Supplement_6/znab259.876/6389612