LAUSR

BACKGROUND Comprehensive studies evaluating the efficacy of team-based competition ("Gamification") in surgery have not been performed. Board pass rates and resident satisfaction may improve if surgical residents are involved in competition. METHODS Residents at Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, New York) were surveyed and separated into teams during a draft. Each resident's performance was converted into a point system. Resident scores were combined into a team score and presented as a leaderboard. Awards were given. ABSITE, ACGME residency satisfaction, and ABS qualifying exam pass rates were compared. RESULTS Sixty percent of residents are inspired to improve their performance during gamification. ABSITE average percentile score improved from 28 to 43. ABS qualifying exam pass rates improved from 73% to 100%. Resident satisfaction improved from 65% to 88%. The point system allowed for establishing "growth curves" for each resident enabling enhanced assessment of residents. CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive team-based competition inspires performance, is feasible, and seems to improve ABSITE scores, ABS pass rates, and satisfaction while being a tool for assessment of performance.