The COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Pediatric Surgery Residency Programs

Abstract Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact not only on clinical practices but also on residency programs as an important part of hospital medical services. We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric surgery residency program in our institution. Results: A questionnaire was developed, consisting of 24 questions: a) the perspectives of residents about COVID-19 infection during their residency program; b) the learning process; c) academic evaluations; and d) residents' suggestions to improve the quality of their residency program during the outbreak. Most (85.7%) pediatric surgery residents agreed that elective surgeries should be postponed during the pandemic. Before the outbreak, almost all (90.5%) residents used textbooks and journals as their primary sources of learning, while during the outbreak, 71.4% of residents shifted to use online lectures either from the school or Association of Pediatric Surgeons. Interestingly, 95.2% of participants agreed that they had more time to complete their academic assignments during the pandemic. In conclusions, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the development of pediatric surgery residency programs. A comprehensive approach is needed to maintain the high standard of competence of pediatric surgery without compromising our safety from the COVID-19 infection risk.

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Diversity and Inclusion on General Surgery, Integrated Thoracic Surgery, and Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program Websites

Journal of Graduate Medical Education ◽

10.4300/jgme-d-20-00905.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ryan Mortman ◽

Harold A. Frazier ◽

Yolanda C. Haywood

Keyword(s):

Thoracic Surgery ◽

Vascular Surgery ◽

General Surgery ◽

Residency Program ◽

Training Programs ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Diversity And Inclusion ◽

Related Information ◽

Application Service ◽

Surgery Residency Program

ABSTRACT Background Increasing diversity in medicine is receiving more attention yet underrepresented in medicine (UiM) surgeons remain a small fraction of all surgeons. Whether surgical training programs attempt to attract UiM applicants to their programs, and therefore their specialties, through program website information is unclear. Objective To analyze the scope of diversity and inclusion (D&I) related information on US allopathic and osteopathic general surgery, integrated thoracic surgery, and integrated vascular surgery residency program websites. Methods Residency programs were identified through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) in July 2020. We searched surgical program websites and collected data on the presence or absence of variables labeled “diversity & inclusion” or “underrepresented in medicine.” Variables found on program websites as well as sites linked to the program website were included. We excluded programs identified in ERAS as fellowship training programs. Programs without webpages were also excluded. Results We identified 425 residency programs and excluded 22 from data analysis. Only 75 of the 403 included programs (18.6%) contained D&I-related information. The presence of individual variables was also low, ranging from 4.5% for opportunities related to early exposure to the specialty to 11.1% for a written or video statement of commitment to D&I. Conclusions In 2020, as recruitment and interviews moved entirely online, few US allopathic and osteopathic general surgery, integrated thoracic surgery, and integrated vascular surgery residency programs provided D&I-related information for residency applicants on their program websites.

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Staff perceptions on the impact of a general surgery residency program

Journal of the American College of Surgeons ◽

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2014.07.821 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 219 (4) ◽

pp. e162

Author(s):

Steven Perrins ◽

Conrad H. Simpfendorfer ◽

Emanuele Lo Menzo ◽

Raul J. Rosenthal

Keyword(s):

General Surgery ◽

Residency Program ◽

Staff Perceptions ◽

General Surgery Residency ◽

Surgery Residency Program ◽

The Impact

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Increasing Social Media Presence for Graduate Medical Education Programs

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/00031348211031848 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000313482110318

Author(s):

Casey T. Walk ◽

Rodrigo Gerardo ◽

Priti P. Parikh

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Residency Program ◽

Education Programs ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Content Creation ◽

General Surgery Residency ◽

Social Media Presence ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Surgery Residency Program ◽

Exposure Methods

Virtual residency interviews during COVID-19 pandemic created a need for residency programs to use social media to increase their visibility and connect with potential applicants. This was, however, new and a road never travelled for many programs. This report describes how our General Surgery Residency Program increased its presence through social media by using various exposure methods and approaches, including diversifying presence and developing candid personalized content. Results suggest that these methods have increased our exposure and reach from an average of 7 people per post to posts reaching over 4500 people. Moreover, the video posts introducing our residents and faculty provided the highest activity and reach. Thus, appropriate use of social media with described interventions and new content creation could exponentially increase the visibility of a residency program. Moreover, educating faculty and residents on the use and importance of social media could increase their interest and participation as well.

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Quantifying the Impact of Research on Matching into Ophthalmology Residency

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1668575 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (01) ◽

pp. e133-e139 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Albert Bargoud ◽

Loka Thangamathesvaran ◽

Varesh Patel ◽

Robert Henseler ◽

William Kass ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Impact Factor ◽

Residency Program ◽

Research Output ◽

The United States ◽

H Index ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Factor Type ◽

Number Of Publications ◽

The Impact

Purpose This article aims to quantify the impact of research on matching into various tiers of ophthalmology residency programs. Design In this study, 340 applicants who matriculated into ophthalmology residency programs in the United States from the class of 2019 were included. Data variables collected for each applicant composed of the following: Hirsch's index (h-index), total number of publications, journal impact factor, type of publication, and number of publications relating to ophthalmology. The primary outcome was tier of ophthalmology program that each applicant matched into, which was determined by two metrics: (1) the h-index of the department's faculty and (2) overall reputation of the residency program as characterized by the U.S. News and World Report Ophthalmology Rankings. Results After multivariate analysis, only the h-index was found to be associated with an increased likelihood of matching at a higher tier program when measuring tier based on the metric of institutional research output (p < 0.0001). However, no research variable was found to be significant on multivariate analysis when assessing the impact of research on matching into a certain tier program based on reputation. The h-index was noted to increase by 1 for every 3.1 papers as the first author, every 4.9 years since the first publication, every 6.4 ophthalmology-related publications, and every publication in a journal with an impact factor of 5.2. Conclusion A higher applicant h-index is associated with matching at an ophthalmology program with greater research output; however, it is not associated with reputation of residency program.

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Resident satisfaction with the pediatric surgery training program

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-020-02309-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tariq Altokhais ◽

Mohammed Al Rajhi ◽

Osama Bawazir ◽

Gassan T. Almogbel ◽

Abdullah I. Aljunaydil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Residency Program ◽

Pediatric Surgery ◽

Online Survey ◽

High Rate ◽

First Year ◽

Chi Square ◽

Frequency Distributions ◽

Fear And Anxiety ◽

Surgery Residency Program ◽

Level Of Analysis

Abstract Background The pediatric surgery residency program is new in Saudi Arabia. As with any new program, residents experience a degree of fear and anxiety about their future in the program. The aim of this study is to examine residents’ satisfaction with the program. Methods This study included an online survey examining residents’ satisfaction. It consisted of demographic, financial, personality, program-specific, and burnout assessment questions. All questions were multiple-choice items. Descriptive statistical data are presented as frequency distributions and percentages. Cross-tabulations and chi-square tests were used at the bivariate level of analysis to compare subgroups and identify factors of satisfaction. Binary logistics regression was used at the multivariate level of analysis to compute the odds ratio of significant variables. Results Thirty-one out of 32 residents responded to the survey. The multivariate logistic regression showed that current year of residency, current relationship status and personality statistically affected the satisfaction of residents. Senior residents, i.e., residents who had spent four years or more in the program, were 40 times more likely to be satisfied than were residents in their first year; residents who were married were more than eight times more likely to be satisfied than were residents who were single; and residents who were neutral or who agreed that they were very indecisive were 8% less likely to be satisfied than were those who reported being decisive. Gender was statistically significant, such that males were more satisfied than females were. Conclusions Although the pediatric surgery residency program is new, this survey has shown that there is generally a high rate of satisfaction. Satisfaction was also observed more in senior residents. Further studies should be conducted in the future when residents graduate from the program.

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Reducing Opioid Over-Prescribing: The Impact of an Education Initiative within a General Surgery Residency Program

Journal of the American College of Surgeons ◽

10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.08.568 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 227 (4) ◽

pp. e210

Author(s):

Aska Arnautovic ◽

Shabnam Hafiz ◽

Tyler Holliday ◽

Ayalivis De La Rosa ◽

Kevin G. Handy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Surgery ◽

Residency Program ◽

General Surgery Residency ◽

Surgery Residency Program ◽

The Impact ◽

Education Initiative

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Do Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program Web Sites Address Diversity and Inclusion?

HSS Journal ® ◽

10.1177/15563316211037661 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155633162110376

Author(s):

Ryan J. Mortman ◽

Alex Gu ◽

Peter Berger ◽

Samrat Choudhury ◽

Simone A. Bernstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Web Sites ◽

Residency Program ◽

Orthopedic Surgery ◽

Specific Information ◽

Medical Specialties ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Diversity And Inclusion ◽

Application Service ◽

Residency Application ◽

Surgery Residency Program

Background: Orthopedic surgery is one of the least diverse medical specialties. Other medical specialties have employed diversity-related initiatives to increase the number of students underrepresented in medicine (URM). Furthermore, with the suspension of visiting student rotations during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students used residency program Web sites as a main source of program-specific information. Aims/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the extent to which orthopedic surgery residency program Web sites describe diversity and inclusion initiatives. Methods: The Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) was used to identify U.S. orthopedic surgery residency programs. The programs’ Web sites were reviewed, and data on commitments to diversity and inclusion were collected. Descriptive statistics of these data were generated. Results: There were 192 residency programs identified and 3 were excluded from the analysis due to lack of Web sites. Of the remaining 189 residency program Web sites, only 55 (29.10%) contained information on diversity and inclusion. Information on a commitment to improving diversity and inclusion was the most prevalent data point found among program Web sites, although it was found on only 15% of program Web sites. Conclusion: Orthopedic surgery residency programs rarely address topics related to diversity and inclusion on their program Web sites. An emphasis on opportunities for URM students and initiatives related to diversity and inclusion on program Web sites may improve URM outreach and serve as one method for increasing URM matriculation into orthopedic surgery.

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Gender Differences in Program Factors Important to Applicants When Evaluating Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs

Journal of Graduate Medical Education ◽

10.4300/jgme-d-18-01078.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 565-569 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ellen Kroin ◽

Dana Garbarski ◽

Aoi Shimomura ◽

Joseph Romano ◽

Adam Schiff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Residency Program ◽

Ethnic Diversity ◽

Orthopaedic Surgery ◽

Gender Diversity ◽

Geographic Location ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Gender Specific Differences ◽

Orthopaedic Residency ◽

Surgery Residency Program ◽

Racial Ethnic

ABSTRACT Background Despite specialty-driven efforts to improve diversity in the field, few women apply to orthopaedic residency, and women are unevenly distributed among programs. There is little evidence-based information on factors that may attract female applicants. Objective This study aims to identify factors important to applicants when evaluating orthopaedic residency programs and to identify gender-specific differences. Methods All applicants to a single orthopaedic surgery residency program in the 2017 Match were asked to fill out an anonymous survey. Respondents rated the importance of 35 factors when evaluating orthopaedic residency programs. The percentage of highly rated factors was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed for each factor to assess differences by gender. Results Of 1013 applicants who applied to orthopaedic surgery residency in 2017, 815 (80%) applied to our program, and 218 (27%) completed the survey. The most important factors when evaluating a residency program for both genders were (1) perceptions of current residents; (2) interactions with members of the program; (3) program reputation and fellowship placement; (4) geographic location; and (5) impressions after rotation at a program. Female applicants rated the presence of female and minority residents and faculty and program reputation for gender and racial/ethnic diversity higher than male applicants. Conclusions When choosing an orthopaedic surgery residency program, women more often reported the presence of female residents and faculty, program reputation for gender diversity, reputation for racial/ethnic diversity, presence of minority residents and faculty, and their personal interactions with members of the program as important factors.

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Cardiovascular Surgery Residency Program during COVID-19 pandemic:

10.22541/au.161738512.21953226/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gustavo Guerreiro ◽

Lucas Cardoso ◽

Valdano Manuel ◽

Aldo Benitez ◽

Lucas Bonamigo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Training ◽

World Health ◽

New Professionals ◽

Residency Programs ◽

The World ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Health Organization ◽

Almost All ◽

Surgery Residency Program ◽

Based Medicine

In December 2019, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China and spread rapidly around the world, resulting in a pandemic declared by the World Health Organization in March 2020. The disease has affected more than 11 million people in Brazil, with more than 265.000 deaths to date, as we are now facing a second wave of infections. Regarding medical assistance and training, it turned out to be a great challenge, since - among other things - many residents were relocated to respiratory units to treat patients with COVID-19. Even though the residency programs situation has become chaotic all around the world and the activities in almost all specialties nearly stopped (especially in surgical specialties), the need to reinvent the way of teaching was the best concern. Worldwide the “webinars fever” was an impulse to try new strategies to fulfill the gaps of knowledge of these future specialists. It is crucial to call to the responsibility put on medical training institutions to prepare these new professionals according the principles of evidence-based medicine, surgical proficiency and patient safety.

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Global Health Curricula in Ophthalmology Residency Programs in the United States

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1736434 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (02) ◽

pp. e183-e191

Author(s):

Momoko K. Ponsetto ◽

Nicole H. Siegel ◽

Manishi A. Desai ◽

Kara C. LaMattina

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Global Health ◽

Residency Program ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Program Directors ◽

The United States ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Department Of Ophthalmology ◽

Residency Program Directors ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objective The aim of the study is to investigate the design, content, and administration of global health curricula within ophthalmology residency programs in the United States (U.S.) and share the curriculum utilized in the Department of Ophthalmology at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). Design A survey designed through the Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology platform was emailed to residency program directors at 106 accredited ophthalmology residency programs. Setting BUSM Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA. Tertiary clinical care. Participants Twenty-eight ophthalmology residency program directors responded, which represent 26% of the total number of residency programs in the United States. Twenty-seven programs fully completed the survey, and one program partially completed the survey. Results Of the respondents, three programs do not include global health curricula. The most common curricular elements included are: lectures (n = 15, 60%); wet laboratories (n = 10, 40%); and journal clubs (n = 9, 36%). In terms of annual frequency, global health activities occur: twice a year (n = 12, 46%); less than once a year (n = 10, 39%); or every few months (n = 4, 15%). Fewer than half of programs (n = 10, 42%) incorporate local outreach at least once a year into their program. Twelve programs (48%) do not incorporate ethics-related topics, while the 13 remaining programs (52%) incorporate them at least once annually. The most common curricular topic is surgical techniques, with manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) being the most frequently emphasized (n = 17, 68%). Conclusion A robust global health curricula combined with a hands-on international component can contribute to a well-rounded training experience. Many ophthalmology residency programs value the importance of incorporating global health into their residents' training. The most common elements of global health curricula in U.S. ophthalmology residency programs included are teaching of surgical techniques for resource-limited settings and international electives. Further investigation into the impact of different components of a global health curriculum on both resident experience and international partnerships is warranted.

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