BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to analyze the impact of the 80-hour work week on the emergency operative experience of surgical residents. METHODS: A 2-year retrospective comparison of the operative experience in emergency abdominal procedures of postgraduate year 4 and 5 residents in a city hospital before (group 1) and after (group 2) duty hour restriction. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups in the mean number of procedures performed as the primary surgeon, but group 2 showed a 40% decrease in technically advanced procedures with a 44% increase in basic procedures. The study also demonstrated a 54% decrease in the operative volume as first assistant. Operative continuity of care by residents decreased from 60% to 26% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The ACGME regulatory environment is adversely affecting the emergency operative experience of surgical residents. Our findings underscore the need to develop alternative methods to augment the residents' operative experience.
BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to analyze the impact of the 80-hour work week on the emergency operative experience of surgical residents. METHODS: A 2-year retrospective comparison of the operative experience in emergency abdominal procedures of postgraduate year 4 and 5 residents in a city hospital before (group 1) and after (group 2) duty hour restriction. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups in the mean number of procedures performed as the primary surgeon, but group 2 showed a 40% decrease in technically advanced procedures with a 44% increase in basic procedures. The study also demonstrated a 54% decrease in the operative volume as first assistant. Operative continuity of care by residents decreased from 60% to 26% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The ACGME regulatory environment is adversely affecting the emergency operative experience of surgical residents. Our findings underscore the need to develop alternative methods to augment the residents' operative experience.
Authors: Michael P Smrtka; Ravindu P Gunatilake; Benjamin Harris; Miao Yu; Lan Lan; Leo R Brancazio; Fidel A Valea; Chad A Grotegut; Haywood L Brown Journal: J Grad Med Educ Date: 2015-09
Authors: Chad G Ball; Andrew W Kirkpatrick; David V Feliciano; Richard Reznick; Norman E McSwain Journal: Can J Surg Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 2.089
Authors: Teviah E Sachs; Aslam Ejaz; Matthew Weiss; Gaya Spolverato; Nita Ahuja; Martin A Makary; Christopher L Wolfgang; Kenzo Hirose; Timothy M Pawlik Journal: Surgery Date: 2014-03-15 Impact factor: 3.982