A National Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Preparedness for General Surgery Residency and the Association With Resident Burnout

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Differences in medical school experiences may affect how prepared residents feel themselves to be as they enter general surgery residency and may contribute to resident burnout.OBJECTIVES To assess preparedness for surgical residency, to identify factors associated with preparedness, to examine the association between preparedness and burnout, and to explore resident and faculty perspectives on resident preparedness. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study used convergent mixed-methods analysis of data from a survey of US general surgery residents delivered at the time of the 2017 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (January 26 to 31, 2017) in conjunction with qualitative interviews of residents and program directors conducted as part of the Flexibility in Duty Hour Requirements for Surgical Trainees (FIRST) trial. A total of 262 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved US general surgery residency programs participated. Survey data were collected from 3693 postgraduate year (PGY) 1 and PGY2 surgical residents (response rate, 99%) and 98 interviews were conducted with residents and faculty from September 1 to

Preparedness for Residency

“…This first-hand knowledge contributes to informed decision-making in choosing surgery as a career and also contributes to students' ability to care for patients appropriately. 2 In light of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), surgical educators must recognize these issues to an Preparedness for transition to residency during this time must be addressed by all in the continuum of medical education. Medical schools diligently reorganizing optimal student experiences should include simulation and mock pages that have proved valuable for resident preparedness.…”

Surgical Clerkships Influence Career Choices of Medical Students: Getting a Taste of What It Is Like to Be a Surgeon

“…Unfortunately, medical students are less frequently given the opportunity to perform various procedures, which could potentially be due to lack of adequate training and mentorship, increased dependence on simulation-based education, as well as liability issues. 1 This hinders the development of skills and techniques that are commonly expected from first-year residents. This reduced preparedness, among other factors, may contribute to increased burnout during surgical residency.…”

“…This reduced preparedness, among other factors, may contribute to increased burnout during surgical residency. 1…”

“…A cross-sectional study found that junior residents who did not take a surgical subinternship were significantly more likely to report being unprepared for residency. 1 In addition to the day-to-day duties medical students are given during their surgery rotations, students are also typically assigned overnight shifts. Overnight shifts are a requirement that is expected from all surgical residents.…”

“…Medical students who did not take night call during medical school surgical rotations were significantly more likely to report not being prepared for surgical residency. 1 Although taking additional night call has the advantage of real-life experience, this may become burdensome and take away from the surgical clerkship experience if a student spends the majority of their time observing rather practicing basic emergency and surgical procedures. This is particularly true for students who are required to take a clinical knowledge exam at the end of their rotation (Surgical Shelf), as the medical student needs and deserves sufficient time for test preparation.…”