835 Evaluation of an International Virtual Teaching Series for UK Academic Foundation Programme Applications and Interviews: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background UK academic foundation programme (AFP) is an important steppingstone into surgical training, but there paucity in undergraduate preparedness. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual webinar series prepare students for applications and interviews. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted between 18/10/2020 – 19/12/2020. Ethical approval not required as this evaluation teaching interventions. Medical interested AFP were included. Three 1-hour presentations, delivered by two doctors, focused on evidence-based frameworks approach applications, critical appraisal, personal clinical Pre- post-webinar electronic surveys compared preparedness self-reported knowledge (SRK) confidence (SRC) Likert scale (1: knowledgeable/confident 5: very knowledgeable/confident). SPSS v27.0 used perform Wilcoxon Signed-rank test; P-value<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results Mean attendance per presentation 136, with 93(68.4%) pre-webinar responses 62(45.6%) responses. Both SRK SRC regarding improved same value (median 3 versus 4; p < 0.0001). appraisal also 2 using interview answer (SPIES, STARR CAMP) from median 4 (p 0.0001) 1 0.0001), respectively. Across all pre-surveys, 129(46.4%) had no preference platforms, 115(41.3%) preferred webinars 34(12.2%) face-to-face teaching. Conclusions Webinars, can improve schools should address students’ perceived lack appraisal.