VANDERBILT SURGERY Impact of Initiation of a Pediatric Surgery Fellowship on General Surgery Resident Operative Volume ♦ ♦ ♦ Rebecca A. Snyder, MD Sharon E. Phillips, MSPH Kyla P. Terhune, MD Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
VANDERBILT SURGERY Background Operative volume among general surgery (GS) residents and programs varies significantly Residents in programs that are larger, university-affiliated, or in the Northeast report lower case numbers 1 and may feel less confident in their operative skills than residents at other programs 2 1. Bell RH et al. Ann Surg Bucholz EM et al. Arch Surg
VANDERBILT SURGERY Background 80% of graduating GS residents are pursuing a fellowship 1 Volume traditionally captured by residents is often diverted towards fellows 2 1. Borman KR et al. J Am Coll Surg Bell RH et al. Ann Surg
VANDERBILT SURGERY Background Prior studies of the effects of coexisting fellowships on GS residents show mixed results Minimally invasive (MIS) fellowships 1,2 2009: multiple programs with colorectal, vascular, MIS, and endocrine fellowships 3 No difference in resident CRS volume Decline in MIS and vascular volume Specifically: open colectomy and lap chole 1. Kothari SN et al. J Surg Educ Linn JG et al. Surgery Hanks JB et al. Ann Surg
VANDERBILT SURGERY Purpose To determine the impact of initiation of a new pediatric surgery fellowship on general surgery resident operative volume at a major academic institution
VANDERBILT SURGERY Methods Retrospective Review of ACGME operative logs: GS residents: July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2011 Pediatric surgery fellows: July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2011 Collected data including: Pediatric index cases All pediatric cases Total number of primary surgeon cases to date Number pediatric surgeons, RVUs, admissions, CPTs
VANDERBILT SURGERY Results 109 resident rotations 78 residents 7 fellow rotations (years) 4 fellows
VANDERBILT SURGERY YearSurgeonsRVUsAdmissionsCPTs ,3002,4253, ,4372,4313, ,5032,8753, ,0813,2104, ,3273,5564, ,9953,7724, ,1753,8604, ,5793,6024,671
VANDERBILT SURGERY PrePostp-value Pediatric index cases34 (27, 48) 23.5 (17, 29.5) <0.001 Total cases on peds74 (63, 103) 53 (43, 71) <0.001 Miscellaneous pediatric cases 12 (7, 18) 15 (7, 19) Total primary surgeon cases to date: PGY (498, 614) (410.5, 623) Total primary surgeon cases to date: PGY (791.5, 916) 831 ( ) 0.820
VANDERBILT SURGERY PrePostp-value Index cases <0.001 Total cases <0.001 Mean cases per 28 resident days
VANDERBILT SURGERY Limitations Single institution Intern data not captured Dependent on ACGME log accuracy Case volume only one measure of educational experience Inpatient/ward experience Outpatient clinic Educational Conferences
VANDERBILT SURGERY Conclusions General Surgery resident operative volume in pediatric surgery decreased significantly after the addition of a fellowship. Careful preparation is necessary to anticipate and protect the general surgery resident experience when new surgical fellowships are implemented.
VANDERBILT SURGERY Acknowledgements Margaret Tarpley, MLS John Tarpley, MD, FWACS, FACS Stephanie Rowe, Program Coordinator, General Surgery Jennifer Wilkins, Program Coordinator Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Dai Chung, MD
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