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The process of learning new surgical technical skills is vital to the career of a surgeon. The acquisition of these new skills is influenced greatly by visual-spatial ability (VSA) and may be difficult for some learners to rapidly assimilate. In many cases, the role of VSA on the acquisition of a novel technical skill has been explored; however, none have probed the impact of a three-dimensional (3D) video learning module on the acquisition of new surgical skills. The first aim of this study is to capture spatially complex surgical translational flaps using 3D videography and incorporate the footage into a self-contained e-learning module designed in line with the principles of cognitive load theory. The second aim is to assess the efficacy of 3D video as a medium to support the acquisition of complex surgical skills in novice surgeons as evaluated using a global ratings scale. It is hypothesized that the addition of depth in 3D viewing will augment the learner's innate visual spatial abilities, thereby enhancing skill acquisition compared to two-dimensional viewing of the same procedure. Despite growing literature suggesting that 3D correlates directly to enhanced skill acquisition, this study did not differentiate significant results contributing to increased surgical performance. This topic will continue to be explored using more sensitive scales of measurement and more complex "open procedures" capitalizing on the importance of depth perception in surgical manipulation.

Introduction: The ability to mentally rotate an object in 3 dimensions has been shown to correlate with an individual's score on the Vandenberg and Kuse Mental Rotations Test. The goal [...]

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Objectives: To investigate the adequacy of otolaryngology teaching in undergraduate medical education (UME) and to determine the general level of comfort of family medicine residents in managing and assessing diseases affecting the ears, nose, and throat. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: A sample of family medicine residents at the University of Western Ontario (N = 68) completed a questionnaire inquiring into their exposure to topics in otolaryngology during their UME. They were also asked to comment on their present comfort with knowledge and skills specific to otolaryngology. Results: Family medicine residents suggest that there is generally little otolaryngology training in UME; 66.7% of respondents who received UME in Canada suggested that they received very little classroom instruction and 75.6% received very little clinical otolaryngology instruction. Residents identified specific otolaryngologic conditions with which they felt particularly uncomfortable. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that students receive very little exposure to otolaryngology in UME and highlighted specific conditions and procedures that family medicine residents lack confidence in managing and performing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether innate visual-spatial ability influences medical student choice of a surgical career. In addition, the student's career interests on entering medical school (matriculation) predicted application and acceptance to a residency program. Methods: Fifty-nine fourth year medical students at the University of Western Ontario completed a career choice questionnaire that identified the residency program(s) to which they showed interest at the time of matriculation, the program(s) to which they applied, and the residency program(s) to which they matched. The selections were compared with the student's score on the Vandenberg & Kuse Mental Rotations Test, a test of visual-spatial ability. Results: Graduates initially interested in visual-spatially intense medical disciplines scored better (P < 0.02) on the Mental Rotations Test. The findings did not persist to the time of application and acceptance into residency training programs. There was no correlation between visual-spatial ability and selection of a visual- spatially intense specialty. Only 32% of graduates applied to their specialty of initial interest. Conclusion: The ability to rotate an object in three dimensions mentally does not to play an important role in surgical career selection although it was a predictor of initial career interest upon entry to medical school. Initial career interest was not an accurate predictor of career choice in general. In contrast to the overall results, 71% of individuals initially interested in family medicine ultimately applied to this medical discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the tax and nontax considerations involved in the various types of corporate acquisitions in the United States. Implications of the changes made by the Tax Reform Act of 1986; Significance for understanding potential ramifications of structuring a transaction; Considerations of options in planning corporate acquisitions.

The article describes a direct nasolabial lift technique for the functional reconstruction of the lower face. It explains the causes and other surgical options available for facial paralysis, which is a complication of the cancer of the head and neck. The new surgical technique involves the outlining of a crescent or triangle at the superior edge of the nasolabial crease and uses local anesthetic. Results of the application of this procedure to four patients who seek palliative restoration of oral competence are also detailed.

Objective: To identify which factors influence medical students' decision to choose a career in family medicine and pediatrics, and which factors influence their decision to choose careers in non-front-line specialties., Design: Survey that was created based on a comprehensive literature review to determine which factors are considered important when choosing practice specialty., Setting: Ontario medical school., Participants: An open cohort of medical students in the graduating classes of 2008 to 2011 (inclusive)., Main Outcome Measures: The main factors that influenced participants' decision to choose a career in primary care or pediatrics, and the main factors that influenced participants' decision to choose a career in a non-front-line specialty., Results: A total of 323 participants were included in this study. Factors that significantly influenced participants' career choice in family medicine or pediatrics involved work-life balance (acceptable hours of practice [ P = .005], acceptable on-call demands [ P = .012], and lifestyle flexibility [ P = .006]); a robust physician-patient relationship (ability to promote individual health promotion [ P = .014] and the opportunity to form long-term relationships [ P  < .001], provide comprehensive care [ P = .001], and treat patients and their families [ P = .006]); and duration of residency program ( P = .001). The career-related factors that significantly influenced participants' decision to choose a non-front-line specialty were as follows: becoming an expert ( P  < .001), maintaining a focused scope of practice ( P  < .001), having a procedure-focused practice ( P = .001), seeing immediate results from one's actions ( P  < .001), potentially earning a high income ( P  < .001), and having a perceived status among colleagues ( P  < .001)., Conclusion: In this study, 8 factors were found to positively influence medical students' career choice in family medicine and pediatrics, and 6 factors influenced the decision to choose a career in a non-front-line specialty. Medical students can be encouraged to explore a career in family medicine or pediatrics by addressing misinformation, by encouraging realistic expectations of career outcomes in the various specialties, and by demonstrating the capacity of primary care fields to incorporate specific motivating factors., (Copyright© the College of Family Physicians of Canada.)