Effect of Resident Involvement on Trauma Patient Outcomes: A Single-Institution Review

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Medical Education
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• The role of residents in initial trauma patient management is debated.
• Understanding the impact of resident involvement on patient outcomes is crucial for optimizing trauma care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare mortality and other outcomes in trauma patients managed by residents versus attending physicians alone.
• To investigate the association between resident involvement and injury severity, comorbidities, and resource utilization.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 2644 trauma patients (≥18 years) admitted between July 2018 and June 2020.
• Statistical analysis included Chi-square, Fisher's tests, and linear/logistic regression.
• Resident presence during initial management served as the independent variable.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in mortality was observed between groups (unadjusted and adjusted analyses).
• Patients treated by residents exhibited higher comorbidity scores (CCI) and injury severity scores (ISS).
• Adjusted analysis showed ISS independently associated with resident presence; diagnostic and therapeutic interventions were higher in the resident group.

Conclusions:

• Resident involvement in initial trauma management is not associated with differences in overall mortality or morbidity.
• Despite higher injury severity in resident-treated patients, outcomes were comparable, with increased utilization of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.