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Editorial
. 2021 Mar;13(3):2054-2057.
doi: 10.21037/jtd.2018.08.104.

Utilization of a training portfolio in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery: the example of the French platform-EPIFORM

Alex Fourdrain  1 , Charles-Henri David  2 , Lucile Gust  3 , Gilbert Massard  4
Affiliations
Editorial

Utilization of a training portfolio in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery: the example of the French platform-EPIFORM

Alex Fourdrain et al. J Thorac Dis. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery requires learning both theoretical knowledge and technical skills. In this surgical field, several disparities exist between the different training programs around the world. This report describes the implementation of a portfolio in the teaching and assessment of French trainees in Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery, following an electronic logbook model, aiming to improve the training program. The French surgical course is a twelve semesters' curriculum divided in 3 parts, each part containing knowledge, technical skills and behaviors objectives to be validated, defined by the French College of Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery. The competencies are marked in the logbook, following a declarative model where the surgical trainee fills every surgical procedure attended (all or part) if he/she has observed, partially or fully performed, or supervised another trainee. All the surgical procedures are linked to theoretical e-learning lessons and each e-learning lesson includes a self-evaluation. This constitutes a competency-based assessment model with milestones both for surgeon trainees and their mentors. This portfolio also contains complementary tools such as an automated publication point calculation, a formatted curriculum vitae generator, and several contact tools between trainees. Implementation of a dedicated portfolio following an electronic logbook model appears to be a relevant pedagogic tool and survey element in the thoracic and cardiovascular surgery training program. Its use may lead to potential educational benefits for the trainee, reliable competency assessment for the supervising surgeon and for scientific society or national college.

Keywords: Surgical education; portfolio; syllabus; training in thoracic surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2018.08.104). The series “Training in Pulmonary Medicine and Surgery” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. GM served as the unpaid Guest Editor of the series. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
First webpage of the portfolio showing all the features.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Operative log book regarding surgical approach in thoracic surgery including the 4 progressive steps. Observation: observed; partiellement réalisé: partially performed; entièrement réalisé: fully performed; encadrement d’un junior: supervision of another trainee.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mentor survey screen with trainee(s) under his/her responsibility. Each trainee has validated course (green) or not yet (orange). Liste des stagiaires: list of trainees; liste des demandes de tutorat: list of tutorship request.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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