To evaluate the self-directed learning ability of standardized medical training residents of breast surgery.

This retrospective survey included 55 standardized medical training residents(grade 2016-2020) in the Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University. The modified "Self-Rating Scale of Self-Directed Learning (SRSSDL)(Chinese version) was used to evaluate their self-directed learning ability. All the trainees were divided into groups by gender, personnel category, on-the-job or not, and final subject achievement. The scores of each dimension and total score were compared between groups. The scores were expressed ad M (P₂₅, P₇₅) because of skewed distribution. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between two groups, Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for multi-group comparison, and Dunn Bonferroni correction method was used for pairwise comparison.

Among 55 medical residents, the lowest score was 174, the highest score was 290, and the median score was 234. The total SRSSDL score of male students were significantly higher than that of female students [248.00(222.50, 284.00) vs 221.00(186.75, 254.50), Z=-2.109, P=0.035]; the male students had significantly higher scores in learning strategy and evaluation compared with female students [57.00(50.50, 85.00) vs 48.00(45.00, 59.50), Z=-2.268, P=0.023; 48.50(40.00, 63.25) vs 43.50(36.00, 49.25), Z=-2.622, P=0.009]. The on-the-job students had significantly higher scores in awareness and learning activities compared with other students [53.00(48.00, 60.00) vs 47.50(43.25, 55.75), Z=-2.152, P=0.031; 43.00(37.00, 50.00) vs 38.00(31.75, 45.75), Z=-1.975, P=0.048]. There was no significant difference in the scores of learning awareness, learning strategies, learning behavior, learning rating, interpersonal skills and total scores between professional masters and ordinary trainees (Z=0.000, -0.697, -0.230, -0.137, -0.009, -0.246, P=1.000, 0.486, 0.818, 0.891, 0.993, 0.806). There was no significant differences in the scores of learning awareness, learning strategies, learning behaviors, learning ratings, interpersonal skills and total scores between students with different subject achievement (χ²=14.881, 9.688, 9.645, 6.597, 7.423, 10.541, P=0.001, 0.008, 0.008, 0.037, 0.024, 0.005).

The standardized training residents of breast surgery have certain self-directed learning ability, varying among trainees with different genders, personnel categories and vocational status. Therefore, in the training, it is necessary for teachers to cultivate the self-directed learning ability of trainees in a more targeted manner according to their characteristics, so as to further improve the clinical teaching quality.