2016 Spring Surgical Technology Student SLO Assessment Survey
Surgical Technology Spring 2016 Student SLO Spring 2016 - Surgical Technology May 2nd 2016, 9:52 am CDT Q3 - What did you like about this program? I really liked everything I learned in this program and loved how hands on this experience was! I really loved all the hands on learning that this program offers. Whether it was in the lab or at clinical, hands on learning was always going on. I also liked the length of this program and the pre-requisites that went before it. The ability to do clinical hours early in the program.. the hands on experience really helped my learning I loved the interaction with the facilities amenities and being able to learn about things hands on. It was dedicated to us growing as an individually not just educational wise, but mentally as well. I liked this program a lot. It is right in line with my future career plans and it was very helpful in giving me the experience to enter the world of healthcare. I really liked that the clinical experience helped us progress throughout the program and thinking back to the start of the program, I am amazed at how much that I have learned. The lab areas in our classroom complex helped us prepare a lot for the start of our clinical experience. I think that once the complex is done with construction that the program with benefit even more from it. I liked how much hands on time we had with the program and how involved the teachers were. They really proved that they cared about our learning. I liked that different variations of studying was done: lecture, hands-on, presentations. It helped get a better understanding of the overall idea of the topics in different lights and helped make it easier to understand and remember. The amount of hands on learning was great. Being in the lab to begin with prepares us for what we will be seeing and working with at the hospitals and once we get to clinical rotations that is all hands on learning and experience. I really liked the clinical experience during this program. It helped build my skills and confidence toward the surgical tech position. I like that it is a two year program and most of it is clinical experience. I like that it is hands. The hands on experience we were able to get at clinicals every week. The instructors were all very experienced in the field. They were always open and approachable for any problems or concerns that might come up. I felt that the experience the instructors brought was a phonominal asset. The program was fast , but never felt rushed. This program not only helped me grow as a student but as a person as well. It helped me become more outgoing and assertive. This program prepared me to enter the working world as a Surgical Technologist. I was given all of the materials and information I needed to succeed. I was given control over my own education, and had the opportunity to take it into my own hands. The Associate's Degree program layout is fantastic and give ample time to prepare for the working world. Q4 - What would you change about this program? I don't think anything needs to be changed about this program! I feel that I got everything out of this program that I need to be a great Surg Tech. I'm not sure what I would even change. Being in clinical for so long is such an amazing opportunity and experience, but in these last few weeks though....now I'm just very anxious to pile all the pointers I got from my preceptors to be the best surg tech I can be, and start making some money! I have no complaints about the program. I would rather the clinic hours be split up evenly instead of going to one facility for 3/4 of the program and switching the very last semester Our program is very, very demanding, and I found it to be a lot of "paper work", which is fine, but it can be repetitive at times. It became draining after a period of time doing the same case work over and over, but understand the concept. I wouldn't change much about this program except the fact that the summer break was a little bit hard to come back from and start scrubbing in the OR's the same week that we came back to school. Also, going to the 8 hour clinical days are not as beneficial, I don't think. I understand that they are to "prepare" us for a full day of work, but most of us actually go to work right after clinicals and put in a full 8 hours that same day. So, that is like 16 hours of working for most of us students and that is the number one reason that I am so burned out. Not all of us can adjust our work hours or cut back on hours.... The dividing factors between the GHS and MCHS things, all the students will experience both facilities so it why do we need to separate into sections beforehand. We all need the information, so let's learn it together and then apply what we know to the current location of our clinicals. I do not think we should lose points for being absent especially from lecture. We are paying for the college education and if we can't come but can make up the work and still do well, it shouldn't affect our grade. Some of the classes really overlap material. Although I enjoyed my clinical experience it was very long, and the times of clinical became longer after we already had our required number of cases. I think it should be longer in the beginning and shorten towards the end. I would change the times for class room portions and not have a huge break in between classes. Some of the content was unnecessary I thought. Such as how to use a computer. I would spend more time in the lab. I am more of a hands on learner, and getting to done the procedures in a controlled environment would be bennifitial. There is nothing that I cant think of changing. Everything was orderly and taught well. I would not change anything about the program. Q6 - As a result of this program: Q6_1 - I have learned effective communication skills. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 35.71% 5 Strongly Agree 64.29% 9 Total 100% 14 Q7 - Provide any comments you have on effective communication skills you learned. I'm way more out going and not as shy or nervous, in both staff and patient communication. I think one of the things that helped me with that was when we had to introduce ourselves to our preceptors and state our objectives to them. It was awkward for me to get used to, but I'm glad we were made to do it. Meeting and working with new people and also communicating my needs I have learned to use my voice and vocalize my concerns, especially when it came to questions regarding the classroom things as well as in clinical settings. I have learned a lot about communication skills throughout my previous jobs, but this program also did focus on learning to communicate with others and that did really help in the long run. This program forces you to get over any fear you have with public speaking or talking with people you don't know. Presenting in class and practicing teaching really helps with that, even though it may be difficult. I learned how to effectively speak to patients as well as my superiors in the OR. We learned the importance of communication both as a class and as a surgical team in the OR. Q8 - As a result of this program: Q8_1 - I am able to apply mathematical concepts. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 7.14% 1 Agree 42.86% 6 Strongly Agree 50.00% 7 Total 100% 14 Q9 - Provide any comments you have on mathematical concepts you learned. Not a whole lot of math is used. Keeping track of how much medications have been used on the field is the job of the surg tech, which I am able to do. how much local can be used depending on the weight of the patient This question was kind of hard to answer, but yes? I think so? We didn't have a "math or formulas" section throughout the program or anything like that, but I understand ratios and strengths of medications, if that is what this question was asking? Medications and counts are critical. This happens every single day, no matter what. Accurate counting is mandatory. Q10 - As a result of this program: - I learned how to transfer social and natural science theories into practical applications. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 7.14% 1 Agree 57.14% 8 Strongly Agree 35.71% 5 Total 100% 14 Q11 - Provide any comments you have on transferring social and natural science theories into practical applications. N/a I am not quite sure what this question means, but I agree? Q12 - As a result of this program: Q12_1 - I learned critical thinking skills. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 28.57% 4 Strongly Agree 71.43% 10 Total 100% 14 Q13 - Provide any comments you have on critical thinking skills you learned. This program has thought me confidence in myself and how to think on my feet. For plan A, there's always got to be a plan B. I used to hate critical thinking questions, but now it is kind of try trying to figure things out with the knowledge I have. It is a "think on your feet" kind of profession This program has definitely helped me with my critical thinking skills because we learn to anticipate the needs of the surgeon and the team and solve problems through out the case. I use my mind a lot during the day! No two surgeries are the same, even if they are on paper. Things happen and you have to be ready to adapt to whatever is going to happen, anticipation is key. Q14 - As a result of this program: Q14_1 - I have learned to use technology effectively. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 7.14% 1 Agree 35.71% 5 Strongly Agree 57.14% 8 Total 100% 14 Q15 - Provide any comments you have on what you learned about using technology effectively. As a surg tech, we're the ones who put everything together for the surgeon. We've had a lot of practice in the lab, and some preceptors I've been with will teach me how to put a certain thing together and then have me take it apart and put it back together again. There is still a lot of equipment in the OR's that I have never even touched, but for the most part I have learned a lot about using the technology that we have available. Surgical equipment is a whole new ballgame. Its things that can and cannot be used in everyday life so knowing how to use and troubleshoot these things is important. Q16 - As a result of this program: - I have learned to value myself and work ethically with others in a diverse population. % Count Answer Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 14.29% 2 Strongly Agree 85.71% 12 Total 100% 14 Q17 - Provide any comments you have on what you learned about valuing yourself and working ethically with others in a diverse population. Be yourself, and be respectful of others. The biggest thing I've learned about diverse population in this program at clinicals, is that even though we're all in the same field...there's a different way to do just about everything. And I've learned that one way from the other way is not wrong, it is ok to be different and for us as students to use that to our advantage to see all the different approaches. I am part of a team in the OR and working together is essential. Working in this field forced you to make ethical decisions and going through this program had really helped us grow to become better people wanting to help other people. There is no one way of doing things, and everyone has their own way of making it easier for them. Getting frustrated over it will not help anyone. Q18 - As a result of this program: - I am able to make decisions that incorporate the importance of sustainability. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 28.57% 4 Strongly Agree 71.43% 10 Total 100% 14 Q19 - Provide any comments you have on what you learned about incorporating the importance of sustainability in decisions you make. I used to be very shy, insecure, and second guess myself a lot when I first started clinical, now I have some confidence in my decisions. I am still learning, but yes, I am able to important decisions throughout the case, or throughout the day that incorporate sustainability. Q21 - As a result of this program, I learned to: Q21_2 - apply healthcare and technological science to the perioperative environment. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 28.57% 4 Strongly Agree 71.43% 10 Total 100% 14 Q22 - Provide any comments you have about learning this program outcome. N/a Q23 - As a result of this program, I learned to: Q23_2 - maintain principles of sterile technique in the surgical environment. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 0.00% Strongly Agree 100.00% 14 Total 100% 14 Q24 - Provide any comments you have about learning this program outcome. Yes yes yes yes yes!! Surgical sterility is the most important thing. One cannot expect to succeed in this profession without that strict knowledge. Sterile technique was taught very well. Q25 - As a result of this program, I learned to: Q25_3 - provide a safe, efficient, and supportive environment for the patient. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 7.14% 1 Strongly Agree 92.86% 13 Total 100% 14 Q26 - Provide any comments you have about learning this program outcome. Absolutely, patient comes first. Patient always comes first. Q27 - As a result of this program, I learned to: - prepare the patient, operating room and surgical team for the preoperative phase. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 21.43% 3 Strongly Agree 78.57% 11 Total 100% 14 Q28 - Provide any comments you have about learning this program outcome. We've learned to help help transfer patient, we've learned about prepping, we've learned about catheters, we've learned to communicate with staff in the room, we've learned to arrange the room ahead of time for a smoother case. Everyone helps everyone in the OR, unless it is not under your scope of practice, everyone is expected to help each other out to make the experience for the patient a better one. I think a little more time explaining the duties of preparing case carts would be helpful. Q29 - As a result of this program, I learned to: Q29_3 - perform intraoperative case management in the scrub role. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 14.29% 2 Strongly Agree 85.71% 12 Total 100% 14 Q30 - Provide any comments you have about learning this program outcome. Always keep an eye of what instruments and supplies are up on the field and keep a mental count in your head with your sponges, blades, and needles. Anticipation of surgeon needs is something that cannot be taught, it's something that comes with time. Q31 - As a result of this program, I learned to: Q31_3 - perform postoperative case management. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 35.71% 5 Strongly Agree 64.29% 9 Total 100% 14 Q32 - Provide any comments you have about learning this program outcome. Patient comes first, meaning cleaning up and getting your case cart out of the room can certainly wait until after transfer of the patient is done. You cannot expect to walk out of the OR and have it magically turned over, even if there is a turnover team, you are expected to help them out with at least filling the case cart with all the equipment that was used. Q33 - As a result of this program, I learned to: - function as an ethical, legal, and professional member of the healthcare team as determined by governing bodies. Answer % Count Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.00% Neither Agree nor Disagree 0.00% Agree 28.57% 4 Strongly Agree 71.43% 10 Total 100% 14 Q34 - Provide any comments you have about learning this program outcome. I have learned all of these things Q35 - CONCLUSION Please use this space to share any other feedback, comments, or suggestions about your experience at Western Technical College. I would recommend this program to absolutely anyone. It's been an amazing experience for me. I had a great experience in this program, and am so thankful for the time spent in getting me into a field that I can grow in. The staff was understanding, patient and caring and am so thankful I love all the opportunities at western. Everyone is very welcoming and the teachers and staff are great! I learned so much in my time here and I'm thankful for all of it! My surgical tech teachers are truly awesome. They've worked with us from day one to obviously have great skills and knowledge as future surgical techs but they also really care about us as people. This is extremely encouraging to students. Honestly some of the best teachers I've ever had. I think it is a very good idea having clinicals incorporated within the program instead of having it afterwards like a typical internship. It's not a profession that you can just jump into, its something you need to experience first hand because not everyone can handle healthcare even if they think they can. Also, having the instructors there with the students really helps keep the options open for different opportunities. Overall I think this is a good program, I think with a few small tweaks I could be a great program for both students and the instructors. I really enjoyed my time here. It went by quick and obtained a job before I finished so that was nice. I went from never before setting foot in an actual operating room to understanding a surgical procedure from beginning to end. I feel comfortable in supporting a surgical team in numerous roles. I learned a lot from this program and truly feel ready to enter this field by myself. I felt my experience was well done, and was very happy with the staff. There is a high level of care, and compassion that is shown to all students. My experience here has been great. I have learned a lot in this program and I feel like it has prepared me for employment and independence within a work place.
