Kathryn L Butler1, Yuchiao Chang2, Marc DeMoya2, Ara Feinstein3, Paula Ferrada4, Ugwuji Maduekwe5, Adrian A Maung6, Nicolas Melo7, Stephen Odom8, Jaisa Olasky9, Michael Reinhorn10, Douglas B Smink11, Nicole Stassen12, Chad T Wilson13, Peter Fagenholz2, Haytham Kaafarani2, David King2, Daniel D Yeh2, George Velmahos2, Dimitrios Stefanidis14. 1. Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Suite 810, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: klbutler@partners.org. 2. Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Suite 810, Boston, MA 02114, USA. 3. Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Banner-University Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA. 4. Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. 5. Department of Surgery, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA. 6. Section of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Surgical Emergencies, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. 7. Division of Trauma, Acute Care Surgery, and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 8. Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. 9. Department of Surgery, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA. 10. Department of Surgery, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, MA, USA. 11. Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. 12. Department of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA. 13. Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. 14. Department of Surgery, Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient instability and limited radiology staffing may compel surgeons to make clinical decisions based on their independent interpretations of imaging studies. Despite potential implications for patients, no research to date has assessed the need for a diagnostic radiology curriculum in general surgery residency. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of surgery faculty and residents at 13 teaching hospitals across the United States. Survey responses were summarized using frequency and percentage, and analyzed by chi-square, Mantel-Haenszel chi-square, and McNemar tests. RESULTS: Surveys were distributed to 465 faculty and 520 residents, with response rates of 26% and 30%, respectively. Most respondents reported making decisions based on their independent imaging interpretation at least sometimes, with higher frequency in acute scenarios. The majority voiced a need for a dedicated radiology curriculum, with teaching in chest x-rays, abdominal x-rays, abdominal computed tomography, chest computed tomography, and focused assessment with sonography in trauma examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons and surgical residents enact treatment plans based on their independent interpretation of imaging studies, especially during acute patient scenarios. Further curricular development efforts are warranted to ensure trainee accuracy in radiologic interpretation.
BACKGROUND:Patient instability and limited radiology staffing may compel surgeons to make clinical decisions based on their independent interpretations of imaging studies. Despite potential implications for patients, no research to date has assessed the need for a diagnostic radiology curriculum in general surgery residency. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of surgery faculty and residents at 13 teaching hospitals across the United States. Survey responses were summarized using frequency and percentage, and analyzed by chi-square, Mantel-Haenszel chi-square, and McNemar tests. RESULTS: Surveys were distributed to 465 faculty and 520 residents, with response rates of 26% and 30%, respectively. Most respondents reported making decisions based on their independent imaging interpretation at least sometimes, with higher frequency in acute scenarios. The majority voiced a need for a dedicated radiology curriculum, with teaching in chest x-rays, abdominal x-rays, abdominal computed tomography, chest computed tomography, and focused assessment with sonography in trauma examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons and surgical residents enact treatment plans based on their independent interpretation of imaging studies, especially during acute patient scenarios. Further curricular development efforts are warranted to ensure trainee accuracy in radiologic interpretation.