Resident self-assessment of common endocrine procedures

Background: General surgery residency graduates are expected to be proficient in straightforward endocrine operations. This study aimed to elucidate residents' self-assessment of their ability to perform common endocrine procedures. Methods: A fourteen-question survey was emailed to general surgery residents from seven U.S. residency programs regarding their self-assessed ability to perform each step of a straightforward thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. Demographics and perceived ability to perform the various procedures were collected. Results: A minority of respondents (17, 27.9%) agreed they could complete a straightforward thyroidectomy for benign disease, with only 11.7% (n = 7) agreeing they could complete a straightforward thyroidectomy for malignant disease. 26.2% (n = 16) of respondents agreed they could complete a straightforward parathyroidectomy. Completed number of cases was significantly associated with greater self-assessed ability to perform the endocrine operations (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Most general surgery residents surveyed did not feel capable of performing common, straightforward endocrine procedures. Although confidence in operative ability increased with PGY-level and number of cases completed, the majority of PGY-5 residents still did not feel able to perform a thyroidectomy for malignant disease unassisted.

Automated summary

Most general surgery residents surveyed lack confidence in their ability to perform common, straightforward endocrine procedures. Although the self-assessed ability increased with the number of cases completed and the years of residency, a majority of residents still feel unable to perform a thyroidectomy independently.