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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
10:39
Qualitative and Quantitative Validation of Tools with Rating Scales Aimed at Assessing the Quality of University Service-Learning
Published on: August 29, 2025
Defining service and education: the first step to developing the correct balance
H David Reines1, Linda Robinson, Stephanie Nitzchke
1Department of Surgery, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA.
Surgery
|August 11, 2007
Summary
Residents and attendings agree on most surgical residency activities but differ on the ideal service-education balance. Residents desire more education time, highlighting a need for clearer definitions and time distribution guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Residency Training
- Healthcare Administration
Background:
- The distinction between service and education activities in residency programs lacks clear definition and study.
- Understanding this balance is crucial for effective surgical training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To categorize common resident activities on a service-education continuum.
- To compare the perspectives of residents and attending physicians on this balance.
Main Methods:
- A web-based survey was administered to residents and attending physicians.
- Participants rated 27 activities on a 5-point scale (1=pure service, 5=pure education).
- Content validity was ensured by a panel of surgical educators and residents.
Main Results:
- 125 residents and 71 attendings participated across eight residency programs.
- Attendings and residents generally agreed on activity categorization, but residents desired more education time.
- A significant portion of residents (40%) felt more than half their time was pure service, compared to 10% of attendings.
Conclusions:
- While agreement exists on activity value, residents perceive a greater need for dedicated education time.
- Clear definitions of service and education are needed to optimize resident learning.
- Addressing the service-education balance is key to fulfilling the educational mission of surgical residencies.
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