A surgical resident course: five years' experience in The Netherlands

Abstract

In the Netherlands surgical residency training in the hospitals is supplemented by courses organized on a national basis. In the first 2 years of training theoretical courses have to be followed and examinations have to be passed. During the last 4 years of training participation in the so-called Surgical Course is obligatory. The organization, design and formats of the course are described. During the course at least half of the time is spent in interactive sessions. The issues presented in the last 5 years cover a wide range of biomedical aspects (80%), psychological-communicative aspects (10%) and aspects which regard the relation of the surgeon and surgery with finance and society. The authors conclude that the surgical course meets nearly all the 'crises criteria'.