J. J. Tackett1, W. E. Longo1, A. H. Lebastchi1, G. S. Nadzam1, R. Udelsman1, P. S. Yoo1 1Yale University School Of Medicine,Department Of Surgery,New Haven, CT, USA
Introduction:
Attitudes, career goals, and educational experiences of general surgery residents are profiled during the acquisition of a community residency program by an academic residency program.
Methods:
The study population includes all general surgery residents PG2-5 in a tertiary academic medical center divided into community program matriculates (CPM) or academic program matriculates (APM). A survey compared perceptions before and after residency amalgamation in seven training categories: relationships among residents, relationships with faculty, systems interactions, clinical training, surgical training, scholarship, and career plans. Responses were recorded on a Likert scale. Fisher’s exact test and one-sided t-test were applied.
Results:
Thirty-five trainees (83%) participated. There were 23 APM (66%) and 12 CPM (34%). Neither cohort reported significant perceptions of negative effects regarding surgical training, career planning, or scholarship (p>0.05). There was a greater likelihood of significant negative perceptions regarding inter-resident relationships among CPM (p<0.05). CPM perceived significantly improved opportunities for scholarship (p<0.01) and nationwide networking through faculty (p<0.05) after acquisition. There was a nearly-significant trend toward CPM perceiving greater access to competitive specialties after acquisition. Overall, CPM perceptions were affected more often after acquisition; however, when affected, the APM were less likely to be positively affected (Odds Ratio 2.9).
Conclusion:
Acquisition of a community surgery residency by an academic program does not seem to negatively affect trainees’ perceptions regarding training. The effect of such acquisition on Community Program Matriculates decision to pursue competitive fellowships remains ill-defined, but Community Program Matriculates perceived improved research opportunities, faculty networking, and programmatic support to pursue a career in academic surgery.