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Review
. 2019 Feb;157(2):820-827.e1.
doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.09.117. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Conducting high-quality research in cardiothoracic surgical education: Recommendations from the Thoracic Education Cooperative Group

Mara B Antonoff  1 , Stephanie Nguyen  2 , Tom C Nguyen  2 , David D Odell  3
Affiliations
Review

Conducting high-quality research in cardiothoracic surgical education: Recommendations from the Thoracic Education Cooperative Group

Mara B Antonoff et al. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2019 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: There is a clear need for improved quality of research publications in the area of cardiothoracic surgical education. With the goals of enhancing the power, rigor, and strength of educational investigations, the Thoracic Education Cooperative Group seeks to outline key concepts in successfully conducting such research.

Methods: Literature and established guidelines for conduct of research in surgical education were reviewed, and recommendations were developed for investigators in thoracic surgical education.

Results: Key steps in educational research are highlighted and discussed with regard to their application to cardiothoracic surgical education. Specifically, advice is provided in terms of developing a research question, educational methodology, ethical issues, and handling power and sample sizes. Additional caveats of educational research that are addressed include aspects of validity, survey conduct, and simulation research.

Conclusions: Educational research can serve to enhance the practices and careers of current trainees, our scientific community, and thoracic surgical educators. To optimize the quality of such educational research, it is imperative that teachers, innovators, and contributors to academic scholarship in our field familiarize themselves with key steps in conducting educational studies.

Keywords: cardiothoracic surgery; education research; surgical education.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors have nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support.

Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Key steps in educational research. There are a number of key steps to consider when embarking on an investigation in the area of education.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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