Surgical residents have a poor understanding of the costs of common operating room supplies, and this does not improve with post-graduate training. A survey of 73 residents revealed that they accurately estimated costs for only 7 out of 21 items, with considerable error ranging from 26% to 5438%. They significantly underestimated the costs of the […]
Category: Perspectives, Opinions and Curiosities
Early exposure to robotic surgery training enhances interest in surgical career and simulation skills
Early exposure of medical students to robotic surgery training positively influences their interest in a surgical career and improves their performance on simulation tasks. Seventy percent of students reported that the training had a positive impact on their decision to pursue a general surgery career. Furthermore, students felt more knowledgeable about robotics, comfortable operating robotically, […]
Residents with prior evaluations and feedback show improved performance and autonomy in common bile duct exploration
Surgical residents who receive prior evaluations and formative feedback for common bile duct exploration (CBDE) demonstrate better operative performance and greater autonomy compared to residents without prior evaluations. Cases with prior evaluations had a higher proportion of practice-ready or exceptional performance ratings according to both residents and attending surgeons. They also had a higher proportion […]
Snapshot audit methodology provides insights into surgical care delivery and outcomes
Snapshot audit methodology, in the form of prospective observational cohort studies, offers a valuable alternative to retrospective administrative datasets and randomized control trials for exploring the effectiveness of surgical patient care. This study discusses the key features of implementing snapshot audits, including the importance of a diverse steering committee and the involvement of mentored trainees. […]
Physical Prehabilitation Reduces Short-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery
Physical prehabilitation is recommended before major abdominal surgery to improve short-term outcomes. A comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis of 25 studies found that aerobic exercise (AE) and a combination of AE with inspiratory muscle training (IMT) were the most effective approaches in reducing overall morbidity rate and pneumonia risk. The combination of AE and […]
Managing human capital in a surgical department improves productivity and well-being
Effective management of human capital in a surgical department is crucial for enhancing the well-being and productivity of all team members. This study highlights the importance of an ongoing, communication-heavy approach based on fairness and transparency. By being aware of and tending to the needs of team members, clinicians can elevate departmental and organizational productivity […]
Virtual Interviews for General Surgery Residency Applicants: Saving Time and Money, But Limiting Exposure
The study evaluates the impact of virtual recruitment and interviewing platforms on general surgery residency applicants. The results show that more than half of the applicants applied to more programs and accepted more interviews due to the virtual format, citing advantages such as saving money, time, and avoiding travel risks. However, limitations of virtual interviews […]
Female Surgeons Linked to Lower Healthcare Costs for Common Surgical Procedures
Female surgeons are associated with lower healthcare costs compared to male surgeons for patients undergoing common surgical procedures, according to a population-based study in Ontario, Canada. The study found that patients treated by male surgeons had higher healthcare costs at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year after surgery compared to those treated by female […]
Significant Reduction in Surgical Site Infections in Low-Income Hospitals
A new study evaluated the implementation of the clean cut program in 7 Ethiopian hospitals to address surgical infections. After refining the program and updating the implementation strategies, the relative risk of surgical site infections decreased by 34%. Adherence to infection prevention standards significantly improved, including the use of surgical safety checklists, hand and skin […]
Robotic Surgery Proves Promising in Surgical Oncology
Robotic surgery has significantly grown in popularity among general surgeons, including those specializing in surgical oncology. Initially introduced by urologists and gynecologists, this technology has now become a valuable tool in the treatment of various cancers, such as those affecting the gastrointestinal, hepato-pancreatico-biliary, colorectal, endocrine, and soft tissue systems. Although long-term outcomes are yet to […]