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PubMedDate not supplied

Why do residents leave general surgery? The hidden problem in today's programs.

OBJECTIVE: Much has been written and discussed about the reasons for reduced interest in surgery, but few institutions have chosen to examine the loss or attrition of general surgery residents from their own programs. In preparation for an upcoming Residency Review Committee analysis of our program, we took the opportunity to examine the reasons for attrition in our own institution. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: During the years 1990 to 2003, 120 categorical residents were admitted into our general surgery residency program. Residents who matched into preliminary positions or non-5-year categorical positions were not included in this study. During this period of time, 20 residents (9 female and 11 male) left the program for a variety of reasons. The folders of those 20 residents along with all of the correspondence pertaining to each resident were reviewed in detail. RESULTS: Our overall attrition rate during this 13-year period of time was 20 of 120 residents or 17%. This is comparable with the often-quoted figure of approximately 20% attrition in other general surgery programs. The reasons for leaving could be divided into 4 categories: (1) lifestyle, (2) opportunity for early specialization, (3) asked to leave the program because of emotional or performance difficulties, or (4) decided to leave medicine entirely. The largest group was related to lifestyle issues and comprised 13 of the total of 20 residents who left the program. Of this group of 13, 3 went into plastic surgery, 4 went into anesthesiology, 2 went into radiology, and the remaining 4 went into public health, internal medicine, pathology, and emergency medicine. Seven of these 13 individuals were women. Two individuals entered residency with the goal of specializing in plastic surgery. They both left their 5-year categorical general surgery positions after the third year when they were offered the opportunity to enter three-year plastic surgery fellowship positions. The third category was composed of 4 individuals who were asked to leave the program during this 13-year period because of performance or emotional problems, with 3 of these 4 being men. Only 1 person left medicine entirely, and he is now the vice-president of a successful software company. Of the total of 20 residents who left our program, 9 (45%) were female. Given that there were 33 females in our program during the subject period of time, these 9 females represent an attrition rate of 27%. The 11 males who left during this period represent, however, an attrition rate of only 13%. CONCLUSIONS: Although much concern has been expressed over the declining numbers of medical students interested in surgery, loss of residents after matching in general surgery is an equally significant problem. In our program over a 13-year period, 20 out 120 residents, or 17% dropped out or were released. The attrition rate for females (27%) was approximately twice that of males (13%), with 7 out of 9 females (78%) leaving for lifestyle reasons.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2001

Are surgery training programs ready for virtual reality? A survey of program directors in general surgery.

BACKGROUND: The use of advanced technology, such as virtual environments and computer-based simulators (VR/CBS), in training has been well established by both industry and the military. In contrast the medical profession, including surgery, has been slow to incorporate such technology in its training. In an attempt to identify factors limiting the regular incorporation of this technology into surgical training programs, a survey was developed and distributed to all general surgery program directors in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: A 22-question survey was sent to 254 general surgery program directors. The survey was designed to reflect attitudes of the program directors regarding the use of computer-based simulation in surgical training. Questions were scaled from 1 to 5 with 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree. RESULTS: A total of 139 responses (55%) were returned. The majority of respondents (58%) had seen VR/CBS, but only 19% had "hands-on" experience with these systems. Respondents strongly agreed that there is a need for learning opportunities outside of the operating room and a role for VR/CBS in surgical training. Respondents believed both staff and residents would support this type of training. Concerns included VR/CBS' lack of validation and potential requirements for frequent system upgrades. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual environments and computer-based simulators, although well established training tools in other fields, have not been widely incorporated into surgical education. Our results suggest that program directors believe this type of technology would be beneficial in surgical education, but they lack adequate information regarding VR/CBS. Developers of this technology may need to focus on educating potential users and addressing their concerns.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Judgment analysis of surgeons' prioritization of patients for elective general surgery.

BACKGROUND: Access to elective general surgery in New Zealand is governed by clinicians' judgment of priority using a visual analog scale (VAS). This has been criticized as lacking reliability and transparency. Our objective was to describe this judgment in terms of previously elicited cues. METHODS: We asked 60 general surgeons in New Zealand to assess patient vignettes using 8 VAS scales to determine priority. They then conducted judgment analysis to determine agreement between surgeons. Cluster analysis was performed to identify groups of surgeons who used different cues. Multiple regression for the combined surgeons was undertaken to determine the predictability of the 8-scale VAS. RESULTS: Agreement between surgeons was poor (ra=0.48). The cause of poor agreement was mostly due to poor consensus (G) between surgeons in how they weighted criteria. Using cluster analysis, we classified the surgeons into 2 groups: 1 took more account of quality of life and diagnosis, whereas the other group placed more weight on the influence of treatment. The 8-scale VAS showed good predictability in assigning a priority score (R2=0.66). DISCUSSION: The level of agreement reflects surgeons' practice variation. This is exemplified by 2 distinct surgeon groups that differ in how criteria were weighted.

Elective Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed1991

[How much general surgery does the specialist surgeon need? French considerations?].

General surgery is the basis of surgery and the prerequisite for any type of surgical intervention. General surgery is also the coordinating factor for all those patients whose state of health, requires the attendance of several specialists. Four conditions are mandatory for optimal training: 1. Criteria for admission 2. Duration of training: 4 years of basic surgical training with 2-3 more years for specialization 3. Criteria for the standardization among the training centres (hospital accreditation system) 4. Quality control: at the end of the 1st year control of manual ability and after 4 years theoretical, clinical and practical examinations. These points are discussed and defended.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1998

A novel method for the assessment of the accuracy of diagnostic codes in general surgery.

The aim of this study was to describe the accuracy of diagnostic coding in general surgery in a district general hospital, the North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust (NSHT), Stoke-on-Trent. An assessment was carried out by comparison between codes ascribed by hospital coders and expert external coders. Patients who had a finished consultant episode (FCE) in the specialty of general surgery at NSHT were included in the study. The sampling frame was general surgery FCEs at NSHT purchased by North Staffordshire Health Authority (NSHA) with an episode end date between 1 May 1995 and 31 December 1995. Every 15th record was sampled. Of 455 records sampled, 157 (35%) were in active use and were excluded but not replaced; therefore, 298 (65%) records were studied in detail. Outcome was measured by the accuracy of primary diagnostic codes ranked 1, 2, 3, 4, from highest to lowest levels of inaccuracy; a description of where errors occurred in the data cycle was recorded. Errors were found in 87/298 (29%) records; 25/298 (8%) records had an error at the highest level (i.e. wrong ICD-10 chapter), and 44/298 (15%) at the third level. Of the errors, 68/87 (78%) occurred between the medical record and the admission form. A substantial percentage (29%) of records had inaccurate diagnostic codes. It is concluded that coding should be carried out from the medical record rather than from the admission form (KMR1). The proportion of records with errors suggests that a routine data coding audit would be useful to improve the accuracy of routine diagnostic codes.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

PubMed2002

Choosing general surgery: insights into career choices of current medical students.

HYPOTHESIS: The number of unfilled general surgery programs in the United States increased from 4 in 1999 to 41 in 2001. This study seeks to determine if changes in student attitudes occurring during their medical school careers and during the third-year general surgery clerkship contribute to a decline in interest in a surgical career. DESIGN: Prospective survey of medical students at a public medical school in California. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Each medical student received a survey via the Internet. Responses were anonymous. Once quantified, chi(2) analysis was used for comparison and analysis of survey results. Comparisons were made between individual class years and on the basis of whether the respondent completed the third-year general surgery clerkship. RESULTS: Of 368 surveys sent, 232 (63%) were successfully completed and included in the study. Comparison of students' attitudes before and after completion of their general surgery clerkship showed that following surgical course exposure more students believed surgery lacked breadth of expertise, limitations over stress, control over one's time, regularity of schedule, adequacy of leisure time, and income commensurate to workload (P<.05). These results are also consistent in comparisons between individual class years. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that medical students seem to be more concerned with issues of "controllable lifestyle" such as adequacy of family and/or leisure time, high level of stress, and amount of work and commitment. The erosion of income differential between demanding and less taxing specialties was also an important cause cited for the flagging interest in surgical disciplines.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Results of a national survey on ethics education in general surgery residency programs.

BACKGROUND: Medical ethics is a required part of the curriculum in all medical schools in the United States, and an essential component of the educational guidelines for most postgraduate residency programs. Currently, general surgery does not specify ethics education in its essential curriculum for surgical training. This study was designed to determine the existing educational activities in ethics for residents in general surgery, as well as to characterize the attitudes of surgical educators about the role of ethics teaching in residency training. METHODS: An 80-item questionnaire was mailed to the program directors of all accredited general surgery residencies in the United States. They were requested to provide information about their teaching activities in ethics, their resources for ethics instruction, and their attitudes about the importance of education in clinical ethics for surgical residents. RESULTS: The survey had a 71% response rate with a representative distribution of programs based on size, geographic location, and community versus university affiliation. Fifty-six programs (28%) offered no formal ethics education, 94 (48%) held one teaching event in ethics, and 48 (24%) conducted two or more activities. The format for instruction in ethics included grand rounds (50%), resident conferences (41%), and ethics rounds (9%). Residencies with a faculty surgeon having expertise or special interest in ethics had a greater number of ethics teaching activities (P <0.05), whereas programs with a hospital ethicist were more likely to provide ethics rounds (P <0.01). A standardized curriculum in ethics was favored by 85% of respondents with critical content in end-of-life decisions, managing ethical conflict, and informed consent. The majority of program directors were opposed to (50%) or undecided (20%) about inclusion of ethics questions on the American Board of Surgery Inservice Training Examination (ABSITE) and Qualifying Examination in General Surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of program directors of general surgery residencies support the teaching of clinical ethics and favor a standardized curriculum. However, most residencies in general surgery do not include ethics instruction as part of their on-going, regular educational schedule.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The uncertain future of general surgery. A specialty in the process of extinction].

General surgery was the first specialty of medicine. Nowadays, it is fragmented a progressive number of specialties, and has lost many of its fields. What will be the future of general surgery? What will be its repercussion on teaching surgery? From the point of view of a professor of surgery, our specialty today has nothing like what it was in the middle of the past century. Every day, its field of action becomes more and more reduced. Probably in the future, training in surgery will be limited to 2 years of basic knowledge, before the resident goes into the specialty of his/her choice.

Forecasting↗

PubMedDate not supplied

General surgery residency program websites: usefulness and usability for resident applicants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the content of general surgery residency program websites, the websites' potential as tools in resident recruitment, and their "usability." DESIGN: The homepages of general surgery residency programs were evaluated for accessibility, ease-of-use, adherence to established principles of website design, and content. Investigators completed a questionnaire on aspects of their online search, including number of mouse-clicks used, number of errors encountered, and number of returns to the residency homepage. SETTING: The World Wide Web listings on the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA) of the American Medical Association (AMA). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 251 ACGME-accredited general surgery residency programs. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-seven programs (67%) provided a viable link to the program's website. Evaluators found an average of 5.9 of 16 content items; 2 (1.2%) websites provided as many as 12 content items. Five of the 16 content items (program description, conference schedules, listing of faculty, caseload, and salary) were found on more than half of the sites. An average of 24 mouse-clicks was required to complete the questionnaire for each site. Forty-six sites (28%) generated at least 1 error during our search. The residency homepage was revisited an average of 5 times during each search. On average, programs adhered to 6 of the 10 design principles; only 6 (3.6%) sites adhered to all 10 design principles. Two of the 10 design principles (use of familiar fonts, absence of frames) were adhered to in more than half of the sites. Our overall success rate when searching residency websites was 38%. CONCLUSIONS: General surgery residency programs do not use the World Wide Web optimally, particularly for users who are potential residency candidates. The usability of these websites could be increased by providing relevant content, making that content easier to find, and adhering to established web design principles.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2004

Current status of pulmonary embolism in general surgery in Japan.

The true incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) after general surgery in Japan is unknown. We searched the PubMed and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina 1985-2002 databases, entering "surgery" and "pulmonary embolism" or "thromboembolism", and reviewed the reported incidence of clinical PE associated with general surgery in Japan. The overall incidence of PE after general surgery was 0.33%. Fatal PE was reported in 0.08% of the surgical population and the mortality rate of patients with PE was 31%. The incidence of PE after cancer surgery ranged from 0.57% after colon malignancy to 3.85% after pancreatic cancer surgery, and was significantly higher than that after surgery for noncancerous conditions (0.20%). The incidence of PE after various cancer operations corresponded to a moderate or high risk, as defined by the 6th American College of Chest Physicians consensus recommendations. There was no significant difference in the incidence of PE after laparoscopic and open abdominal surgery. The incidence of PE was four to six times lower in patients who had received mechanical prophylaxis, although the difference was not significant. In conclusion, the incidence of PE in Japanese surgical patients is not as low as previously thought. Perioperative prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism is important, but its benefits need to be confirmed by prospective clinical studies.

Humans↗

PubMed1990

Minimizing problems between vascular trainees and general surgery residents.

The current problems and conflicts associated with training of vascular and general surgery residents exemplify the larger dilemma of educating subspecialists while preserving the wellspring of general surgery. Previous vascular fellowship programs during the era of evolution of our subspecialty were characterized by clinical preceptorships or research programs with little thought about the impact on training of general surgery residents. The current era of educational safeguards permits approved vascular training programs provided that adequate educational experience, operative caseload, and appropriate supervision are ensured for both the vascular and general surgical trainee. The future portends significant changes in general surgical and subspecialty training to enhance the career goals of all surgical residents. Such evolutionary changes are necessary to not only capitalize on the benefits of subspecialty care but also enhance the professional standing and expertise of the general surgeon. These modifications in training programs will require the coordinated efforts of major societal, governmental, accrediting, and certifying organizations.

Accreditation↗

PubMed1991

Prevalence of nosocomial infections in general surgery, orthopedic surgery and urological departments in the Czech Republic.

Two prevalence studies of Nosocomial Infections carried out in 1987 (based on 4479 patients in 64 general surgery departments and 1603 patients in 29 orthopedic surgery departments) and in 1988 (based on 1263 patients in 32 urological departments) are summarized. The prevalence rate of nosocomial infections (NI) in general surgery departments was 14.0%, in orthopedic surgery departments 8.0% and in urological departments 20.9%. The highest degree of risk of acquiring NI was run by patients above 60 years of age in urological and general surgery departments. Surgical wound infections in departments of general surgery accounted for 60%, in orthopedic surgery departments for 47% and in urological departments for 37% of all NI. The prevalence of wound infections amongst general surgical patients was 8.4%, amongst orthopedic surgical patients 3.8% and in urological patients 7.7%. The prevalence of urinary tract infections in general surgery departments was 14.4%, in orthopedic surgery departments 18.6% and in urological departments 51.6%. The problems discussed include the role of intrinsic and in-hospital risk factors and the involvement of pathogens responsible for the onset of NI.

Cross Infection↗

PubMed2000

Complications on a general surgery service: incidence and reporting.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and nature of complications on a general surgery service and to compare these results with pre-existing institutional recording and reporting methods. DESIGN: A single observer prospectively monitored the presence and documentation of complications for all patients admitted to the general surgery service at the Wellesley Central Hospital over a 2-month period, through daily chart reviews, attendance at rounds and surgical operating rooms, frequent patient visits on the ward and interviews with the health care team. SETTING: The general surgery service of an urban, university-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred and ninety-two general surgery inpatients over 1277 patient-days from June 16, 1996, until Aug. 15, 1996. Same-day surgery patients were not included. RESULTS: Seventy-five (39%) of the 192 patients suffered a total of 144 complications. Two complications (1%) were fatal, 10 (7%) were life threatening, 90 (63%) were of moderate severity and 42 (29%) were trivial. Of these 144 complications, 26 (18%) were deemed potentially attributable to error. One hundred and twelve (78%) of the complications occurred during or after a surgical operation and were related directly or indirectly to it. Only 9 (6%) complications were not documented in the progress notes of the patients' charts. However, 115 (80%) were not presented at weekly morbidity and mortality rounds, and 95 (66%) were not documented on the face sheet of the patients' final medical records. CONCLUSIONS: Complications are common and are underreported by traditional methods. Since hospital funding and quality improvement efforts depend on accurate identification and recording of adverse events, strategies to improve the recording and reporting of complications must be developed.

Data Collection↗

PubMed1996

General surgery in evolution: technology and competence.

This paper addresses the current status of General Surgery, the direction in which it is moving, and how to prepare for future changes. The paper points out that, since the predicted effects of new technology on the practice of General Surgery are more technical complexity, decreasing invasiveness, and fewer traditional operations, the consequences for the training of surgeons, the division of responsibilities among specialists, and the organization of surgical care will be substantial. In light of the current difficulty in dealing with the stresses within General Surgery, the paper discusses how changes in residency training and an increased use of Fellowships will enable the specialty to handle such disruptive changes in the future.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2005

Has the 80-hour work week had an impact on voluntary attrition in general surgery residency programs?

BACKGROUND: This article attempts to assess the effect of the duty-hour limitations implemented in 2003 on voluntary withdrawal of general surgery residents. STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire asked the program directors how many categorical general surgery residents left voluntarily in 2003 to 2004, their training levels, why they left, and where they went. Results were compared with an identical study of 2000 to 2001 and analyzed statistically using chi-square analysis. RESULTS: A total of 215 programs (85%) responded, compared with 206 programs (81%) in the previous study. One hundred two programs (48%) reported voluntary attrition of 148 residents, compared with 110 programs (53%) and 167 residents previously. An average of 1.5 residents per program left in programs that reported attrition and 0.7 residents per program in all responders, compared with 1.5 and 0.8 residents in the previous study. In both studies, most programs with attrition lost one (66% [2000 to 2001] and 65% [2003 to 2004]) or two residents (21% [2000 to 2001] and 27% [2003 to 2004]). Most attrition occurred at PGY1 (47%) and PGY2 (28%) levels; a total of 75% of all attrition occurred at these levels, compared with a total of 76% in the previous study. One hundred eleven residents (75%) entered other medical specialties, and 23 (16%) transferred to other general surgery programs, compared with 105 residents (63%) and 40 residents (24%) in the previous study. In both studies, personal issues and work hours/lifestyle were cited as the most common reasons for leaving. In each study, the net loss to general surgery (the number of residents who left voluntarily divided by the total resident population at risk) was 3% for that academic year. Analysis showed no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Rates and patterns of attrition seem to have been unaffected by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work-hours limitations.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

An Internet-based survey of factors influencing medical student selection of a general surgery career.

BACKGROUND: This study descriptively analyzes characteristics of general surgery residency and practice and their influence on student interest in surgical careers. METHODS: Fourth-year medical students were invited to complete an Internet-based survey. A 5-point Likert scale described characteristics of general surgery residency and practice influencing medical student specialty selection. The same characteristics of nonsurgical careers were evaluated for students entering other specialties. RESULTS: A convenience sample of 408 students from 16 medical schools completed the survey. All respondents viewed lifestyles of surgical residents and attending surgeons as negative influences on specialty selection. Workload during surgical residency negatively influenced all respondents' interest in a surgical career. Role model identification and perceived personality fit were important in selection of all specialties. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students who choose surgical careers are not deterred by a negative perception of lifestyle and workload considerations. Mentoring and personality fit are central in medical student specialty selection.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diversity in general surgery: a period of progress.

OBJECTIVE: Although 1996 to 2002 was a period of declining interest in general surgery (GS) among U.S. medical students (USS), most categorical general surgery (C-GS) training positions offered in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) continued to fill. We measured the impact of the decreasing U.S. student applicant volume on C-GS match outcomes and GS resident workforce composition over this time period. DESIGN: Match outcomes were analyzed for 7 applicant categories. Subsequent GS resident workforce compositions were analyzed for proportions of U.S. allopathic medical school graduates (USG), osteopathic medical graduates (OMG), Canadian MG (CMG), foreign MG (FMG), female physicians, and African-American physicians. Mantel-Haenzel chi-square tests measured trends in match percentages, C-GS positions filled, and GS workforce composition. All p-values are 2-sided. RESULTS: Increasing match percentages for USS applicants (p < 0.0001) and USG (p = 0.001), with a decreasing percentage of C-GS positions filled by these applicants (p < 0.0001), were from declining applicant volumes. Increasing match percentage for non-U.S. allopathic medical applicants reflected increases in both applicant volumes and matched applicants, with an increasing percentage of C-GS positions filled by these applicants (p < 0.0001). The subsequent resident workforce included increasing proportions of FMGs and OMGs (each p < 0.001); proportions of USG MDs and CMGs decreased (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.02, respectively). Concurrently, there were increasing numbers and proportions of female physicians (p < 0.0001) and African-American physicians (p < 0.0001) in the general surgery resident workforce. CONCLUSIONS: Declining interest among U.S. students in GS has resulted in a workforce comprised of residents from a broad range of educational backgrounds, but also it has provided an opportunity for progress toward achievement of a GS resident physician workforce more equitably representative of the racial and gender composition of our society at large.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Postoperative peripheral neuropathies in general surgery].

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative nerve lesions beyond the operative area, the so called positioning traumas are considered uncommon in general surgery. But they can have serious consequences for the patient and the surgeon, including forensic sequelae. The objective of this work was to describe the incidence, pattern, risk factors and course of postoperative neuropathies in general surgery and to identify indicators to prevent these complications. METHODS: Based on neurologic records we reviewed all postoperative peripheral neuropathies that occurred in the Department of General Surgery of the University Hospital Freiburg in the time period from January 1979 to December 1990. Lesions that occurred as a direct operative effect were excluded. RESULTS: In 35 patients 50 nerve lesions were observed, representing an incidence of 0.12% of all operations during this time period. Most frequently lesions of the n. peroneus occurred, followed by the n. ulnaris, n. cutaneous femoris lateralis and n. medianus. Nerve lesions were observed in every body position and as early as after 15 min. Postoperative nerve lesions have a favorable prognosis. DISCUSSION: Nerve lesions caused by positioning can occur during any operation with any duration in general surgery. They should be avoided by thorough and careful positioning. Also the patient must be informed about the possibility of nerve lesions caused by the positioning.

Adult↗