Prevention of surgical resident attrition by a novel selection strategy.

Objective(s): We modified the resident selection strategy in an attempt to reduce resident attrition (RA).

Summary Background Data: Despite implementation of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work rules, lifestyle and generational priorities have fostered a persistent and relatively high attrition rate for surgical trainees.

Methods: An independent external review of residents who left the training program and a detailed analysis of the resident selection strategy were performed by an organizational management expert.