What do you want to know? Operative experience predicts the type of questions practicing surgeons ask during a CME laparoscopic hernia repair course.

BACKGROUND: Given their variegated backgrounds, surgeons taking continuing medical education (CME) courses possess different learning needs. This study examines the relationship between surgeons' levels of experience and the questions they asked in a simulation-based CME course.

METHODS: We analyzed transcribed audio-video data collected from surgeons participating in a simulated laparoscopic hernia repair CME course and identified four types of questions learners posed to their instructors. Linear regressions compared how often these questions were asked versus self-reported operative experience.

RESULTS: Both Requesting Guidance and Requesting Confirmation were inversely proportional to experience, whereas Asking About a Specific Case was directly proportional to experience. Requesting Instructor Preference exhibited no significant correlation with experience.

CONCLUSION: Practicing surgeons with relatively less experience tend to ask for confirmation and guidance, whereas those with greater experience tend to focus on specific hypothetical scenarios. This data can be used to tailor instruction based on learners' self-reported experience level.