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Put Me in the Game Coach! Resident Participation in High-risk Surgery in the Era of Big Data. J Surg Res 2018 Dec;232:308-317

Date

11/23/2018

Pubmed ID

30463734

Pubmed Central ID

PMC6251497

DOI

10.1016/j.jss.2018.06.041

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85049775031 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   12 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: With the emphasis on quality metrics guiding reimbursement, concerns have emerged regarding resident participation in patient care. This study aimed to evaluate whether resident participation in high-risk elective general surgery procedures is safe.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005-2012) was used to identify patients undergoing one of five high-risk general surgery procedures. Resident and nonresident groups were created using a 2:1 propensity score match. Postoperative outcomes were calculated using univariate statistics and multivariable logistic regression for the two groups. Predictors of mortality and morbidity were identified using machine learning in the form of decision trees.

RESULTS: Twenty-five thousand three hundred sixty three patients met our inclusion criteria. Following matching, each group contained 500 patients and was comparable for matched characteristics. Thirty-day mortality was similar between the groups (2.4% versus 2.6%; P = 0.839). Deep surgical site infection (0% versus 1.6%; P = 0.005), urinary tract infection (5% versus 2.5%; P = 0.029), and operative time (275.6 min versus 250 min; P = 0.0064) were significantly higher with resident participation. Resident participation was not predictive of mortality or complications, while age, American society of anesthesiologists class, and functional status were leading predictors of both.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite growing time constraints and pressure to perform, surgical resident participation remains safe. Residents should be given active roles in the operating room, even in the most challenging cases.

Author List

Cobb AN, Eguia E, Janjua H, Kuo PC

Author

Adrienne Cobb MD Assistant Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Clinical Competence
Databases, Factual
Female
Hospital Mortality
Humans
Internship and Residency
Male
Middle Aged
Operating Rooms
Operative Time
Postoperative Complications
Quality Improvement
Surgical Procedures, Operative
Survival Rate
Treatment Outcome
Work Engagement