Individual learning plans foster self-directed learning skills and contribute to improved educational outcomes in the surgery clerkship

Abstract Background The Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is a newly implemented curricular element designed to foster self-directed learning (SDL) skills among medical students during our surgery clerkship. Our aim was to determine the impact of ILPs on educational outcomes and acquisition of SDL skills. Methods Students were surveyed regarding the educational value of ILPs, their acquisition of SDL skills, and the impact of the surgery clerkship on fostering these skills. Mean scores for the NBME surgery subject exam (SSE) were compared before and after implementation of the ILP requirement. Results Students perceived the ILP requirement as having strong educational value. Mean scores for the SSE increased significantly in the year following ILP implementation (74.9 vs 76.6; p  = .042; d  = 0.21). Students reported successful acquisition and frequent utilization of SDL skills. Conclusions SDL exercises, such as the ILP requirement, lead to improved education outcomes while fostering the acquisition of SDL skills.