A multi-institutional survey of newer surgery faculty on the impacts of education debt and debt repayment strategies.

Background: The cost associated with becoming a physician is significant, and studies have shown that surgeons, in particular, accrue higher debts than matched controls from other specialties, and the public. These findings, along with the current era of economic turmoil, prompted our investigation into the effects of educational debt on the career, family and lifestyle choices of recently graduated surgeons. Our goal was to query young surgical faculty about the education debt carried, the burden it presents as they embark on a career, and the financial management strategies employed to pay down their debt.

Using objective structured assessment of technical skills to evaluate a basic skills simulation curriculum for first-year surgical residents.

Background: In response to new Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements about simulation skill laboratories, programs are incorporating simulation into residents' training. Despite substantial research on simulators, few data exist to support the effectiveness of simulation skills curricula. We report on an Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) used to assess residents' needs and evaluate a curriculum designed to increase proficiency.

Career decisions and the structure of training: an American Board Of Colon and Rectal Surgery survey of colorectal residents.

Objective: To investigate potential impacts of restructuring general surgery training on colorectal (CR) surgery recruitment and expertise.

Summary Background Data: In response to the American Surgical Association Blue Ribbon Committee report on surgical education (2004), the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, working with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and American Board of Surgery, established a committee (2006) to review residency training curricula and study new pathways to certification as a CR surgeon. To address concerns related to shortened general surgery residency, the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery committee surveyed recent, current, and entering CR residents on the timing and factors associated with their career choice and opinions regarding restructuring.

Professionalism and communication in the intensive care unit: reliability and validity of a simulated family conference.

Objective: An Objective Structured Clinical Exam was designed to assess physician's ability to discuss end-of-life (EOL) and disclose iatrogenic complications (DOC) with family members of intensive care unit patients. The study explores reliability and validity based on scores from contrasting rater groups (clinicians, SPs, and examinees).

Methods: Two 20-minute stations were administered to 17 surgical residents and 2 critical fellows at a university-based training program.

Development and pilot testing of an OSCE for difficult conversations in surgical intensive care.

Objectives: To describe the development and results of an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) for leading family conferences in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU).

Design: Pilot demonstration and reliability assessment.

Setting: General surgery residency program at a major academic teaching hospital.