Opinions of practicing general surgeons on surgical education

BACKGROUND: Collective opinions of practicing general surgeons on the curre nt state of general surgical resident education are unknown. METHODS: A 26-item survey was mailed to practicing general surgeons in Minn esota and Texas. Average scores on 17 Likert-formatted questions and opinio ns on multiple-choice questions were compared by geographic area and academ ic affiliation. RESULTS: Overall response was 954 of 1,745 (55%). All surgeons felt changes were needed in surgical education. There was agreement by geographic area and academic affiliation that the current system of resident education allo ws chief residents to graduate with significant gaps in their education, an d that the responsibility for correcting these gaps lies with the residency program. CONCLUSIONS: Opinions of general surgeons in two geographic areas and of di ffering academic affiliation regarding surgical education showed marked sim ilarity. These data suggest change in the process of surgical education is the responsibility of the residency program and should be a priority for th e profession. Am J Surg. 1998;176: 481-485. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, In c.