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Breast education in general surgery residency
Jason P Wilson1, Austin Miller, Stephen B Edge
1Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA. jpwilson@sentara.com
The American Surgeon
|January 26, 2012
Summary
General surgery residents report high comfort with breast cancer cases but less confidence in axillary procedures and medical management. Training programs need to ensure comprehensive breast cancer education for surgical residents.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Education
- Breast Surgery
Background:
- Breast cancer treatment is evolving with increased specialization.
- The number of procedures performed by residents has decreased.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy has reduced axillary lymph node dissections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate breast surgery education within general surgery residency programs.
- To assess resident comfort levels with medical and surgical aspects of breast cancer care.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to surgical oncology fellowship applicants in 2009.
- The survey collected data on training program type, breast surgery exposure, and comfort levels.
- Twenty-nine chief residents responded to the survey.
Main Results:
- Respondents reported high overall comfort (above 8/10) with breast-related cases.
- Comfort levels decreased for modified radical mastectomies and axillary lymph node dissections.
- Residents were least comfortable with the medical management of breast cancer.
Conclusions:
- General surgery residents demonstrate less comfort operating in the axilla compared to the breast.
- There is a need to ensure adequate and comprehensive breast surgery education in general surgery residency programs.
- Surgical training programs should address gaps in breast cancer medical management education.
