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Price AD, Foote DC, Woeste MR, Winer LK, Montgomery KB, Al Yafi M, Nahmias JT, Postlewait LM, Sutton JM, Quillin RC, Cortez AR. Defining the Disparity: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Factors Associated With Decreased Resident Operative Experience. J Surg Res 2024; 293:647-655. [PMID: 37837821 PMCID: PMC10877667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Technical learning in surgical training is multifaceted and existing literature suggests a positive relationship between case volume and proficiency. Little is known about factors associated with a decreased volume of operative experience. This study aimed to identify resident and program factors associated with general surgery residents (GSR) in the bottom quartile of logged case volume upon program completion. METHODS A post hoc analysis of a multicenter study was used to examine case logs for categorical GSR. Participants included graduates between 2010 and 2020 from 20 programs. Residents below and above the 25th percentile for total operative volume were compared. RESULTS The present study includes 1343 GSR who graduated over the 11-y period. In total, 336 residents were below the 25th percentile and 1007 residents were above the 25th percentile. Those below the 25th percentile were more likely to be female (41% versus 34%, P = 0.02), identify as underrepresented in medicine (22% versus 14%, P < 0.01), and pursue fellowship (86% versus 80%, P = 0.01) compared to those above the 25th percentile. Residents below the 25th percentile were more likely to have graduated from a low volume program (55% versus 25%, P < 0.01) and from top National Institutes of Health funded institutions (57% versus 52%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This study identified individual and program characteristics associated with lower operative volume of GSR. Understanding such characteristics will aid surgical educators to achieve better equity in training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Price
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Darci C Foote
- Department of Surgery, Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, Michigan; Department of Surgery, Center for Surgical Training and Research (CSTAR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Matthew R Woeste
- Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Leah K Winer
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kelsey B Montgomery
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Motaz Al Yafi
- Department of Surgery, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
| | - Jeffry T Nahmias
- Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California
| | | | - Jeffrey M Sutton
- Division of Oncologic and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - R Cutler Quillin
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Alexander R Cortez
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Surgery, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
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Are General Surgery Residencies Preparing Graduates for the Practice of Today's General Surgeon? An Analysis of American Board of Surgery Data From Applicants and Re-certifying Surgeons. Ann Surg 2023; 277:e197-e203. [PMID: 34091511 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000004957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the operative experience of general surgery residents and practicing general surgeons. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The scope of general surgery has evolved, yet it remains unknown whether residents are being exposed to the right mix of operations during residency. METHODS A retrospective review of operative case logs submitted to the American Board of Surgery by US general surgery graduates and practicing general surgeons from 2013 to 2017 was performed. The operative experience of both cohorts was calculated as a proportion of total experience and ranked by frequency. The proportional experience between cohorts was analyzed using factorial analysis of variance. RESULTS During the 5-year period, 5482 graduates applied for initial American Board of Surgery certification, and 4152 diplomates applied for recertification. Among all operative domains, the graduate experience was similar to that of diplomates in 6 of 12 areas (abdomen, alimentary tract, endoscopy, endocrine, other, skin/soft tissue; all P > 0.05). Residents have a greater experience in subspecialty areas (pediatric, thoracic, trauma, vascular, and plastic) at the expense of fewer breast procedures (all P < 0.05). The 30 operations most commonly performed by graduates comprised 67% of their total operative experience. Among these, residents performed 25 cases ≥10 times, 14 cases ≥20 times, and 7 cases ≥40 times. CONCLUSIONS The operative experience of graduating US general surgery residents is largely similar to that of practicing general surgeons, particularly for core general surgery domains. These data offer reassurance that surgical training in the modern era appropriately exposes residents to the operations they may perform in practice.
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Trenner M, Radu O, Zschäpitz D, Bohmann B, Biro G, Eckstein HH, Busch A. Can We Still Teach Open Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in The Endovascular Era? Single-Center Analysis on The Evolution of Procedural Characteristics Over 15 Years. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2022; 79:885-895. [PMID: 35151591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2022.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In many vascular centers an endovascular first policy for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has resulted in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) outnumbering open aortic repair (OAR). The declining routine in OAR raises the question whether this might influence procedural outcomes and diminish surgical expertise for current and future vascular surgeons. We aimed to analyze OAR outcomes, AAA morphology and procedural details over the past 15 years while an endovascular first approach was successively implemented. PARTICICPANTS AND DESIGN All patients operated for (i)ntact infra-/juxtarenal AAA between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2019 were identified. Outcome parameters were length of stay (hospital/ICU), in-hospital mortality and medical/surgical complications. Operative details were clamping zone, access and graft configuration. AAA anatomy including neck and iliac parameters was analyzed with Endosize©. Logistic regression, uni- and multivariate analysis were applied. RESULTS 293 patients received elective OAR for iAAA. Baseline characteristics (age, sex, hypertension, smoking, occlusive disease, coronary disease, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, renal insufficiency and obesity) did not change over time. The number of OAR dropped significantly (-0.5 cases/year p = 0.02). The procedure time (2005-2007: 192.2 ± 87.5min to 2017-2019: 235.6 ± 88.2min; p = 0.0001) and the length of stay (2005-2007: 12.0 ± 7.9 to 2017-2019: 17.0 ± 23.1; p = 0.03) increased significantly, whereas the in-hospital mortality, length of ICU stay and complication rates didn't, nor did AAA anatomy. Upon multivariate analysis, annual number of OAR and any additional anastomosis significantly influenced procedure time, trainee involvement, for example, did not. Hospital length-of-stay depended on patient age (p = 0.002), complication rates (p < 0.0001) and procedure time (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION Mortality and complication rates for OAR have remained low and constant. With the increase of EVAR, the absolute number of OARs has decreased significantly. However, the total procedure time has increased and depends significantly on the annual number of OARs in total and per surgeon. This might influence outcome parameters and should be implanted in future surgical education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Trenner
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; Department for Vascular Medicine, Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Oksana Radu
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - David Zschäpitz
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bianca Bohmann
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabor Biro
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Henning Eckstein
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Albert Busch
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; Department for Vascular Medicine, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus and University Hospital, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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Hammaker AC, Dodwad SJM, Salyer CE, Adams SD, Foote DC, Ivascu FA, Kader S, Abelson JS, Al Yafi M, Sutton JM, Smith S, Postlewait LM, Stopenski SJ, Nahmias JT, Harvey J, Farr D, Callahan ZM, Marks JA, Elsaadi A, Campbell SJ, Stahl CC, Hanseman DJ, Patel P, Woeste MR, Martin RCG, Patel JA, Newcomb MR, Greenwell K, Meister KM, Etheridge JC, Cho NL, Thrush CR, Kimbrough MK, Nasim BW, Willis RE, George BC, Quillin RC, Cortez AR. A multi-institutional study from the US ROPE Consortium examining factors associated with directly entering practice upon residency graduation. Surgery 2022; 172:906-912. [PMID: 35788283 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is concern regarding the competency of today's general surgery graduates as a large proportion defer independent practice in favor of additional fellowship training. Little is known about the graduates who directly enter general surgery practice and if their operative experiences during residency differ from graduates who pursue fellowship. METHODS Nineteen Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited general surgery programs from the US Resident OPerative Experience Consortium were included. Demographics, career choice, and case logs from graduates between 2010 to 2020 were analyzed. RESULTS There were 1,264 general surgery residents who graduated over the 11-year period. A total of 248 (19.6%) went directly into practice and 1,016 (80.4%) pursued fellowship. Graduates directly entering practice were more likely to be a high-volume resident (43.1% vs 30.5%, P < .01) and graduate from a high-volume program (49.2% vs 33.0%, P < .01). Direct-to-practice graduates performed 53 more cases compared with fellowship-bound graduates (1,203 vs 1,150, P < .01). On multivariable analysis, entering directly into practice was positively associated with total surgeon chief case volume (odds ratio = 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.84, P < .01) and graduating from a US medical school (odds ratio = 2.54, 95% confidence interval 1.45-4.44, P < .01) while negatively associated with completing a dedicated research experience (odds ratio = 0.31, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.45, P < .01). CONCLUSION This is the first multi-institutional study exploring resident operative experience and career choice. These data suggest residents who desire immediate practice can tailor their experience with less research time and increased operative volume. These data may be helpful for programs when designing their experience for residents with different career goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin C Hammaker
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. https://twitter.com/HammakerAustin
| | - Shah-Jahan M Dodwad
- Department of Surgery, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX. https://twitter.com/shahofsurgery
| | - Christen E Salyer
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. https://twitter.com/salyerchristen
| | - Sasha D Adams
- Department of Surgery, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX. https://twitter.com/SashaTrauma
| | - Darci C Foote
- Department of Surgery, Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI
| | | | - Sarah Kader
- Department of Surgery, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, MA
| | - Jonathan S Abelson
- Department of Surgery, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, MA. https://twitter.com/jabelsonmd
| | - Motaz Al Yafi
- Department of Surgery, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
| | - Jeffrey M Sutton
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. https://twitter.com/J_M_Sutton
| | | | | | | | - Jeffry T Nahmias
- Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA. https://twitter.com/jnahmias1
| | - Jalen Harvey
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX. https://twitter.com/JHarvMD20
| | - Deborah Farr
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX. https://twitter.com/DVFelaine
| | - Zachary M Callahan
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. https://twitter.com/zmcallahan
| | - Joshua A Marks
- Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ali Elsaadi
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
| | - Samuel J Campbell
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
| | | | - Dennis J Hanseman
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Purvi Patel
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University, Maywood, IL. https://twitter.com/pppatelmd
| | | | | | - Jitesh A Patel
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. https://twitter.com/Patel_Wildcat
| | | | | | | | | | - Nancy L Cho
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. https://twitter.com/NancyLCho
| | - Carol R Thrush
- Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Mary K Kimbrough
- Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. https://twitter.com/kimbrough_katie
| | - Bilal Waqar Nasim
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Ross E Willis
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Brian C George
- Department of Surgery, Center for Surgical Training and Research (CSTAR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. https://twitter.com/bcgeorge
| | - Ralph C Quillin
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Alexander R Cortez
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.
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Vaysburg DM, Morris C, Kassam AF, Delman AM, Ammann AM, Cortez AR, Van Haren RM, Quillin RC. Who is Committed to Education? An Analysis of Surgical Education Research Publications. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2021; 78:e93-e99. [PMID: 34353761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Advances in surgical training have led to the recent emergence of surgical education research. While the importance of surgical education research is well recognized, not all surgical journals are publishing these works. The objective of this study was to analyze the volume and types of surgical education publications in general surgery and surgical subspecialty journals. DESIGN A PubMed search string was developed to identify surgical education publications in general surgery (GS, n = 10) and surgical subspecialty (SS, n = 16) journals from 2015 to 2019. Publications were catalogued into 7 categories: curriculum and/or teaching, trainee assessment, program evaluation, wellness and/or burnout, resident research, case outcomes with resident involvement, and other. Journals were also categorized by impact factor into 3 groups. Statistical analysis was performed using linear regression and Wilcoxon rank-sum to analyze differences in education publication number and percent between GS and SS journals, as well as between different impact factor groups. RESULTS The median proportion of surgical education publications was 1.2% (IQR 0.3-2.8%) of total publications for journals queried. The highest proportion of surgical education publications by a journal was 13.9%. All other journals had median ≤ 5.5%. GS journals had a significantly higher median percent of surgical education publications than SS journals (2.9% [IQR 1.7-4.8%] vs 0.5% [IQR 0.0-1.4%] p < 0.01). Additionally, no significant differences were found for number of surgical education publications when journals were categorized by IF (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Education research is an important component of the surgical literature, with similar publication rates among journals of different impact factors. Publication volume is higher among general surgery than surgical subspecialty journals. With the ever-changing paradigm of surgical training, a rigorous scientific approach is needed to ensure effective training of future surgeons. Subspecialty journals should promote surgical education research to further understand and develop training in their field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis M Vaysburg
- Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Christopher Morris
- Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Al-Faraaz Kassam
- Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Aaron M Delman
- Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Allison M Ammann
- Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Alexander R Cortez
- Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Robert M Van Haren
- Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ralph C Quillin
- Cincinnati Research on Education in Surgical Training (CREST), Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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