A night float week in a surgical clerkship improves student team cohesion.
BACKGROUND
We hypothesize that night float rotations in the third-year surgical clerkship improve student learning and perceptions of team cohesion.


METHODS
A 1-week night float (NF) system was implemented during the 2013 to 2014 academic year for students. Each student completed 1 week of NF with the Trauma/Emergency General Surgery service. The Perceived Cohesion Scale survey was prospectively administered and National Board of Medical Examiners academic performance retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
We surveyed 70 medical students, 37 traditional call and 33 NF students, with 91% response rate. Perception of team cohesion increased significantly, without perceived loss of educational benefit. Examination scores increased significantly comparing pre- and postintervention groups, with this trend continuing in the following academic year.


CONCLUSIONS
A week-long student NF experience significantly improved perception of team cohesion and standardized examination results. A dedicated period of NF during the surgical clerkship may improve its overall educational value.
['Connelly|Christopher R|CR|', 'Kemp Bohan|Phillip M|PM|', 'Cook|Mackenzie R|MR|', 'Moren|Alexis M|AM|', 'Schreiber|Martin A|MA|', 'Kiraly|Laszlo N|LN|']
D000328:Adult D002982:Clinical Clerkship D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate D005260:Female D013502:General Surgery D006801:Humans D007398:Interpersonal Relations D008297:Male D009551:Night Care D010348:Patient Care Team D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling D015397:Program Evaluation D011446:Prospective Studies D013337:Students, Medical D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Night float Surgical clerkship Team cohesion Medical education Resident duty hours