It appears that the effectiveness of such traditional teaching methods as lectures and conferences can be greatly enhanced if they are complemented by a pre-learning phase (i.e.: preparatory reading) and a post-learning phase (regular reviews of the required material). During the actual teaching event, the teacher should regularly interact with the residents to ascertain that they have understood the reading material and can apply it appropriately. To give the residents enough time for preparation, the core learning programs and the individual teaching programs of the affiliated hospitals should be distributed at least three months ahead of time. These programs should identify those responsible for various teaching efforts and should indicate what preparatory reading is required. Review quizzes with a clear delineation of the material covered should be held at one to three month intervals.


SPECIFIC LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS

Overview

The following methods and materials will be employed in the learning process:

  • List of core textbooks, course scientific articles and core audiovisual or electronic learning aids instruction in optimal learning and test taking methods
  • Facilitation of computer literacy
  • A core educational program that reviews all the material pertinent to good orthopaedic practice in a two year cycle
  • Lectures and teaching sessions by outside guest speakers
  • Varied orthopaedic teaching programs at each of the affiliated hospitals with focus on the hospital's strengths

Instructional Materials

The preparatory reading indicated and the teaching schedule should be related to core textbooks, scientific articles, the Orthopaedic Knowledge Update(OKU) or the audiovisual material available in the orthopaedic learning center. Per hour taught, the reading of not more than four to six articles should be required.  Seven copies of all material that is not part of the core textbooks or the OKU must be handed in to the Orthopaedic Residency Coordinator three weeks before the teaching event so that it can be made available to the residents ten days to two weeks beforehand.  For each learning event, the responsible teacher will prepare three multiple choice questions, which are available from the Orthopaedic Residency Coordinator, that will form the basis of a review quiz to be administered every two months.

Learning Events

The principal learning events include the following:

Grand Rounds lectures:
These lectures should be of interest to the orthopaedic community and should carry CME accreditation.

Faculty lectures: 
These lectures should be didactic in nature and review specific topics in comprehensive fashion.  They should be based on current textbook knowledge and incorporate discussion of the 4-6 principal publications concerning the topic. During the lecture, particularly when these publications are discussed, the resident should be involved interactively.

Resident lectures:
Each resident is expected to give approximately one lecture a year. These should be formal presentations that include slides, handouts, and reference lists.

Tutorials or "Closed Book" interactive sessions between faculty and residents:
These are based on key learning material that the residents have mastered. The following will be taught in the form of tutorials: 1) the Orthopaedic Knowledge Update (two-year cycle), and 2) topic tutorials. The tutor keeps a list that reflects the resident's performance.  This record is handed in to the Orthopaedic Residency Coordinator at the end of the session.

Multidisciplinary conferences:
These are devoted to case presentations that involve specialties other than orthopaedic surgery and are organized by one or more faculty members.

Quizzes:
Each teacher responsible for a learning session prepares three multiple choice questions for each hour taught that reflect on the topic covered and is based on material that has been handed to the residents. Every two months a number of these multiple choice questions are chosen to test effectiveness of the learning process.

Anatomy:
Anatomy will be covered by each hospital. The resident will receive a proposed curriculum, complimented by cadaveric dissections and clinical correlation. The Department also funds an e-Anatomy online subscription which is an interactive human anatomy atlas, developed on the IMAIOS website. It is designed for use by doctors, radiologists, students, and medical imaging specialists. The application presents medical imaging examinations (CT scan, MRI, radiographs) with annotated anatomical structures and diagrams.