Multi-institutional study of self-reported attitudes and behaviors of general surgery residents about ethical academic practices in test taking.

Purpose: Correlation exists between people who engage in academic dishonesty as students and unethical behavior once in practice. Previously, we assessed the attitudes of general surgery residents and ethical practices in test taking at a single institution. Most residents had not participated in activities they felt were unethical, yet what constituted unethical behavior was unclear.

Initial performance of a modified milestones global evaluation tool for semiannual evaluation of residents by faculty.

Objectives: To determine whether faculty could successfully evaluate residents using a competency-based modified Milestones global evaluation tool.

Design: A program's leadership team modified a draft Surgery Milestones Working Group summative global assessment instrument into a modified Milestones tool (MMT) for local use during faculty meetings devoted to semiannual resident review. Residents were scored on 15 items spanning all competencies using an 8-point graphic response scale; unstructured comments also were solicited.

Nondesignated preliminary residents in general surgery: 25-year outcomes.

Background: This study assesses the outcomes of nondesignated preliminary (NDP) residents in general surgery (GS) at an independent, nonuniversity training program.

Methods: Records of all NDP residents from 1984-1985 through 2008-2009 were reviewed, and residents' careers were followed. Designated preliminary and categorical residents were excluded.

The present and future use of physician extenders in general surgery training programs: one response to the 80-hour work week.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the use of physician extenders (PEs) in general surgery residency programs.

Study Design: We surveyed the program directors in surgery for the number of chief residents, PEs on general surgery services, PE duties, whether PEs were hired in response to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work-hour restrictions, plans to hire additional PEs, and program type. Data were analyzed using the Student's t-test; p values are two-tailed and considered significant if <0.

Do men and women use the same criteria in selecting a general surgery residency program? Results of a 20-year study in a non-university program.

Background: To assess applicant preferences in general surgery program selection, we surveyed current and former residents of our non-university general surgery residency program over the last 20 years, with particular emphasis on male and female selection preferences.

Methods: Surveys were distributed to current and former categorical residents. Respondents were asked to rate 25 residency criteria using a Likert scale.