J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 120(5): 500-506, 2019

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Feature topic

CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING IN CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY IN JAPAN

The common element in developing top-ranked experts in various fields has been reported to be deliberate practice. Recent theoretical advances in skill acquisition can be applied to surgical residency training. The Japanese Board of Cardiovascular Surgery decided to introduce Off-the-job training (Off-JT) into the training system in 2017. Mandatory 30-hour simulation-based training with supervision is now included in the 5-year cardiovascular residency. A questionnaire survey of cardiovascular surgeon examinees revealed that the frequency of Off-JT experience had increased over the years. The majority of examinees surveyed realized that Off-JT is effective for skill development. Routine knot-tying practice is widely performed on a daily basis. Therefore, Off-JT could rapidly become more widespread if inexpensive tools were readily available. We are now at the beginning of the introduction of Off-JT into cardiovascular surgery training. Intense efforts should be made to improve the curriculum and training environment. These efforts by surgeon-educators and young residents will hopefully establish a new standard of improved patient safety in the near future.

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