Evaluating a Clerkship Curriculum: Description and Results

A comprehensive and up-to-date curriculum requires periodic formal review to ensure it continues to meet learners' needs. This study describes a model for evaluating a surgery clerkship curriculum designed to determine the appropriateness of its learning objectives to the general professional education of a physician. A survey was mailed to graduates who pursued generalist residencies. Respondents estimated the number of patients encountered annually with specified presenting complaints or disease entities and the percentage of time these were referred to surgeons. For 23 technical procedures, respondents estimated the frequency done annually and whether remaining proficient in the skill was considered important. The majority of graduates reported the need to remain proficient in 19 technical procedures. Numerous patient problems were identified as requiring careful instruction so that learners know when and when not to refer for surgical intervention. The clerkship was modified to include skills and topics not previously included or appropriately emphasized.