The role of the department of surgery in undergraduate education. Development of the undergraduate teacher

Three components are necessary for effective undergraduate teaching in a department of surgery: (a) departmental organization and membership priority focused on teaching; (b) a clear understanding and appropriate utilization of all teaching methods, for example, lectures, large seminars or demonstrations, small seminars and bedside teaching; (c) the acquisition and maintenance of teaching and evaluation skills by all department members. The author discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the four principal teaching methods and the means of acquiring teaching and evaluation skills that includes the use of professional educators.