D. Schindel1,3, L. Burkhalter3, L. Chen2, D. Schindel1,3 1University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center,Pediatric Surgery,Dallas, TX, USA 2Baylor University Medical Center,Department Of Surgery,Dallas, TX, USA 3Children’s Medical Center,Pediatric Surgery,Dallas, Tx, USA
Introduction: We sought to evaluate the perceptions of third year medical students and second year pediatric residents of the clinical scope of a pediatric surgeon and determine the impact of a pediatric surgical clerkship on these views.
Methods: Over a two year period, 73 trainees (50 third year medical students and 23 second year pediatric residents) were given a multiple choice questionnaire surveying their views on the training and clinical scope of a pediatric surgeon. The questionnaire was provided both before and after the 4-week clinical rotation. The trainees were queried as to what surgeon type would be expected to provide “surgical management” to several commonly seen surgical diagnoses at tertiary referral urban children’s hospital. In addition, the questionnaire queried the participant’s expectations of the role of a pediatric surgeon in areas of postoperative management. Descriptive and non-parametric analyses were used in the analyses of the data.
Results:Twenty-one, (91%) pediatric residents reported having not rotated on a pediatric surgery service during their medical school training. Forty-six (63%) trainees, prior to the rotation, correctly defined a pediatric surgeon’s training being a “2 year fellowship after completing a general surgery residency.” Prior to the rotation, trainees opined a pediatric surgeon would not be expected to manage many of the surgical conditions common to the field as noted in Figure 1. The majority of trainees also answered that a nonsurgical physician or care-provider would be expected to manage a patient’s postoperative need for pain medication, antibiotics, or parenteral nutrition. Following the rotation, as noted in Figure 1, trainees correctly identified a “pediatric surgeon” to manage those surgical diagnoses only managed by a pediatric surgeon (p<0.001) and answered that a “pediatric surgeon” would be expected to manage patients’ postoperative needs. (p<.0001).
Conclusion:Most trainees would not expect a pediatric surgeon to manage many of the surgical conditions common to the field. Exposure to the clinical scope of a pediatric surgeon during a clinical rotation appears to modify the trainee’s views significantly and may prove vital to the success of pediatric surgery as a subspecialty. Awareness of trainees’ perceptions will assist pediatric surgical educators with designing experiences that promote a broad knowledge, appreciation and interest in the field.
