Comparative Evaluation of Two Obstetrical/Gynecology Resident "Boot Camps" of Different Lengths: Equivalent Practice Skills Confidence and Knowledge Levels.

contextSince the earlier time of master-apprentice type GME relationships, more residency program educators have developed various forms of

methodsBoot camps were of two different lengths: a five-day 2014 camp (n = 32 residents) and shortened three-day 2015 boot camp (n = 29 residents). Respondents from both boot camp cohorts were invited to complete the same 25-item OB/GYN practice skills confidence and knowledge survey. The first three authors developed this survey prior to the initial boot camp (2014). Revisions/adjustments were then made to content after the 2014 to pare down from the initial five days' worth of content for the 2014 boot camp to three days for the 2015 boot camp.

resultsEach of 45 sample resident respondents who provided complete pre-and post-boot camp data demonstrated improvements in self-rated practice confidence and knowledge levels. Mean per resident pre-post-boot camp survey rating levels for individual items in the shorter 2015 boot camp cohort increased by 1.096 (SD = 0.5487), over a two-fold increase for most individual items in the 2014 residents. Mean cohort differences represented a non¬-significant equivalent increase in pre-post practice confidence and knowledge levels for individual ratings items between the 2014 and 2015 cohorts (p = 0.241).

conclusionsBased on these preliminary results, the authors conclude that it may be possible to adjust their OB/GYN boot camp from five days to three and still achieve comparable learner outcomes while delivering the same basic content.