Quality improvement education in surgical specialty training: A comparison of Vascular Surgery resident and Urology Resident experiences and attitudes

Am J Surg. 2021 May;221(5):993-999. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.09.036. Epub 2020 Sep 29.

Abstract

Background: Academic institutions have increasingly focused on educating physicians and surgeons in concepts of value-based care, including quality improvement (QI). The extent to which QI curricular competencies are addressed in specialty surgical residency training is unclear.

Methods: A survey instrument was developed by content experts and sent to Vascular Surgery and Urology residents electronically. Descriptive statistics and bivariate associations were calculated using StataMP 13.1.

Results: Vascular Surgery and Urology residents reported exposure to similar types of QI curriculum. Fewer than half of residents reported achieving targets for graduation (Vascular 31%, Urology 42%) related to QI, and few residents in either group felt very well-prepared to lead a QI initiative (Vascular 13%, Urology 8%).

Conclusion: QI education in surgical specialty training amongst Vascular Surgery and Urology residencies is similar and insufficient. Surgical specialties may benefit from collaborative efforts to improve the quality of QI education.

Keywords: Education; Graduate; Medical; Quality improvement; Specialties; Surgical; Urology.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Curriculum
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency / methods
  • Internship and Residency / organization & administration*
  • Internship and Residency / standards
  • Male
  • Quality Improvement* / organization & administration
  • Specialties, Surgical / education*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures / education*
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / education*
  • Young Adult