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Comparing Operative Performance between Independent and Integrated Plastic Surgery Residents
Carisa M Cooney1, Meredith L Meyer1, Pathik Aravind1
1From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|May 28, 2020
Summary
Independent and integrated plastic surgery residents show minimal differences in operative skills, with independent residents catching up within six months. Curricula can support early skill acquisition for independent trainees.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Education
- Plastic Surgery Training
- Operative Competency Assessment
Background:
- Faculty anecdotally report differences in operative skills between independent and integrated plastic surgery residents.
- This study aimed to quantitatively compare operative competency between these two resident groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the operative skills of independent versus integrated plastic surgery residents.
- To identify any significant differences in performance and the time required for independent residents to achieve parity.
Main Methods:
- Operative performance data were collected using the Operative Entrustability Assessment (OEA) tool.
- Independent residents (postgraduate years 1-3) were compared to integrated residents (postgraduate years 4-6).
- Attending physician OEA scores were analyzed over time using independent t-tests.
Main Results:
- Lower OEA scores were observed for independent residents in the first two quarters of postgraduate year 4.
- These score differences became statistically insignificant by the third quarter of postgraduate year 4.
- No significant differences in operative competency were detected at postgraduate years 5 and 6.
Conclusions:
- Operative Entrustability Assessment data indicate minimal differences in operative skills between independent and integrated plastic surgery residents.
- The skill gap for independent residents resolves within approximately six months, by the third quarter of postgraduate year 1.
- Training programs should focus on curricula to enhance early skill acquisition for independent residents in their initial postgraduate year quarters.
