Broad-based general surgery training is a model of continued utility for the future

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• General Surgery Training
• Residency Program Evaluation

Background:

• Broad-based general surgery residency programs offer diverse training experiences.
• Faculty includes both generalists and specialists, catering to varied career paths.
• Program evaluated in context of evolving duty-hour restrictions and training changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term outcomes of a broad-based general surgery residency program.
• To evaluate the impact of training model on resident career choices and practice patterns.
• To determine the relevance of comprehensive training in general surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of operative logs, American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores, and American Board of Surgery (ABS) performance for residents over 17 years.
• Assessment of the impact of specialty faculty on case volume and complexity.
• Survey of program alumni regarding their career paths and training relevance.

Main Results:

• Of 115 residents, 60 pursued fellowships and 55 entered general surgical practice.
• Residents demonstrated excellent operative experience and met Residency Review Committee (RRC) index case requirements.
• Addition of specialty faculty increased complex case volume; most alumni practice broad-based general surgery.

Conclusions:

• Broad-based training with generalist and specialty faculty ensures comprehensive surgical case volume and depth.
• Graduates successfully pursue diverse career paths, including direct entry into general surgery practice.
• The program's training model is highly relevant for successful careers in general surgery.