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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 34 Research Studies DisplayedCohen TN, Anger JT, Kanji FF
A novel approach for engagement in team training in high-technology surgery: the Robotic-Assisted Surgery Olympics.
The purpose of this study was to develop the “Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) Olympics,” a “serious game”-based educational competition to improve the skills required to successfully perform RAS. The pilot study was conducted at an academic medical center in Southern California. Sixteen operating room members participated in the event, reporting that they preferred the RAS Olympics to traditional training, enjoyed the activity, would recommend all staff participate, felt that it was relevant to their work, and believed that they practiced and learned new techniques that would improve their practice. The participants’ confidence in their skills did not change. The researchers concluded that new information was gained about new possibilities for simultaneously engaging and training surgical staff while emphasizing RAS safety and efficiency.
AHRQ-funded; HS026491.
Citation: Cohen TN, Anger JT, Kanji FF .
A novel approach for engagement in team training in high-technology surgery: the Robotic-Assisted Surgery Olympics.
J Patient Saf 2022 Sep 1;18(6):570-77. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001056..
Keywords: Surgery, Training, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Simulation, Teams
Heiderscheit EA, Schlick CJR, Ellis RJ
Experiences of LGBTQ+ residents in US general surgery training programs.
The purpose of this study was to determine the national prevalence of mistreatment and poor well-being for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) surgery residents compared with their non-LGBTQ+ peers. A voluntary, anonymous survey was conducted for clinically active general surgery residents training in accredited general surgery programs following their American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination. Findings showed that mistreatment was a common experience for LGBTQ+ surgery residents, with attending surgeons being the most common overall source. Increased suicidality among LGBTQ+ surgery residents was associated with this mistreatment. Recommendations included multifaceted interventions to develop safer and more inclusive learning environments.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Heiderscheit EA, Schlick CJR, Ellis RJ .
Experiences of LGBTQ+ residents in US general surgery training programs.
JAMA Surg 2022 Jan;157(1):23-32. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.5246..
Keywords: Provider: Physician, Surgery, Training, Education: Continuing Medical Education
Thelen AE, Kendrick DE, Chen X
Novel method to link surgical trainee performance data to patient outcomes.
A significant roadblock in surgical education research has been the inability to compare trainee performance to the outcomes of those surgeons after they enter independent practice. In this study, the investigators described the feasibility of an innovative method to link trainee performance data with patient outcomes. They indicated that this innovation could enable future research investigating the relationship between surgical trainee performance and patient outcomes in independent practice.
AHRQ-funded; HS027653.
Citation: Thelen AE, Kendrick DE, Chen X .
Novel method to link surgical trainee performance data to patient outcomes.
Am J Surg 2021 Dec;222(6):1072-78. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.10.018..
Keywords: Surgery, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Provider Performance, Provider: Physician, Outcomes
Byrnes ME, Engler ta, Greenberg CC
Coaching as a mechanism to challenge surgical professional identities.
Investigators reported on exit interviews of surgeons who participated in a coaching program and demonstrated how their narratives challenge the surgical "personality" and forge an evolving and more open professional surgical identity. They found that participation in a coaching program challenged how surgeons thought of themselves in relationship to social and peer expectations. Further, their results indicated that surgeons do feel peer and social pressures related to identity but are much more complex and nuanced than has been previously discussed.
AHRQ-funded; HS023597.
Citation: Byrnes ME, Engler ta, Greenberg CC .
Coaching as a mechanism to challenge surgical professional identities.
Ann Surg 2021 Aug 1;274(2):319-23. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003707..
Keywords: Surgery, Education: Continuing Medical Education
Williams C, Familusi OO, Ziemba J
Adapting to the educational challenges of a pandemic: development of a novel virtual urology subinternship during the time of COVID-19.
The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate learner attitudes of a virtual urologic surgery clinical rotation for medical students. The investigators concluded that virtual medical student rotations were scalable and effective at delivering surgical material and could approximate the interpersonal teaching found in clinical learning environments. The investigators suggested that they may be a useful tool to supplement or augment clinical learning in select situations.
AHRQ-funded; HS026372.
Citation: Williams C, Familusi OO, Ziemba J .
Adapting to the educational challenges of a pandemic: development of a novel virtual urology subinternship during the time of COVID-19.
Urology 2021 Feb;148:70-76. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2020.08.071..
Keywords: Education: Curriculum, COVID-19, Surgery, Education: Continuing Medical Education
Khorfan R, Yuce TK, Love R
Cumulative effect of flexible duty-hour policies on resident outcomes: long-term follow-up results from the FIRST trial.
The authors investigated the long-term effect of flexible duty-hour policies on resident outcomes. They found that cumulative time under flexible duty-hour policies had no detrimental effects on duty-hour violations or resident well-being. After multiple years of flexibility, residents continue to report a high rate of satisfaction and positive effects on continuity of care.
Citation: Khorfan R, Yuce TK, Love R .
Cumulative effect of flexible duty-hour policies on resident outcomes: long-term follow-up results from the FIRST trial.
Ann Surg 2020 May;271(5):791-98. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003802..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Patient Safety, Provider: Physician, Provider, Surgery
Ellis RJ, Holmstrom AL, Hewitt DB
A comprehensive national survey on thoughts of leaving residency, alternative career paths, and reasons for staying in general surgery training.
This survey examined reasons why general surgery residents might decide to leave their residency. The survey was administered with the 2018 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination. Among 7,409 residents surveyed, 12.6% considered leaving residency over the last year. Almost half were considering other specialties if they were dissatisfied being a surgeon. Women were also more likely to consider leaving medicine. Common reasons for remaining in residency included the feeling of too large an investment to leave (65.3%) and career satisfaction (55%).
AHRQ-funded; HS000078; HS023011.
Citation: Ellis RJ, Holmstrom AL, Hewitt DB .
A comprehensive national survey on thoughts of leaving residency, alternative career paths, and reasons for staying in general surgery training.
Am J Surg 2020 Feb;219(2):227-32. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2019.10.040..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Surgery
Anton NE, Bean EA, Myers E
Optimizing learner engagement during mental skills training: a pilot study of small group vs. individualized training.
This study compared small group versus individualized training results for a group of residents learning laparoscopic suturing. Residents at one institution completed small group training and the second institution completed individualized training. After mental skills training, the completed FLS training at which time they completed the Short State Stress Questionnaire detailing the training. Twenty-one residents completed the training. Individualized training showed greater engagement and mental skills than small group training.
AHRQ-funded; HS022080.
Citation: Anton NE, Bean EA, Myers E .
Optimizing learner engagement during mental skills training: a pilot study of small group vs. individualized training.
Am J Surg 2020 Feb;219(2):335-39. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2019.12.022..
Keywords: Training, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Simulation, Surgery, Education: Curriculum
Yang AD, Quinn CM, Hewitt DB
National evaluation of needlestick events and reporting among surgical residents.
Needlestick injuries pose significant health hazards; however, the nationwide frequency of needlesticks and reporting practices among surgical residents are unknown. The objectives of this study were to examine the rate and circumstances of self-reported needlestick events in US surgery residents, assess factors associated with needlestick injuries, evaluate reporting practices, and identify reporting barriers.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Yang AD, Quinn CM, Hewitt DB .
National evaluation of needlestick events and reporting among surgical residents.
J Am Coll Surg 2019 Dec;229(6):609-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.09.001..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Surgery, Injuries and Wounds, Provider
Hu YY, Ellis RJ, Hewitt DB
Discrimination, Abuse, Harassment, and Burnout in Surgical Residency Training.
A cross-sectional national survey of general surgery residents, administered with the 2018 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination, assessed mistreatment, burnout, and suicidal thoughts during the past year. The authors assessed the association of mistreatment with burnout and suicidal thoughts; they found that mistreatment occurs frequently among general surgery residents, especially women, and is associated with burnout and suicidal thoughts.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Hu YY, Ellis RJ, Hewitt DB .
Discrimination, Abuse, Harassment, and Burnout in Surgical Residency Training.
N Engl J Med 2019 Oct 31;381(18):1741-52. doi: 10.1056/NEJMsa1903759..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Burnout, Stress, Surgery, Provider: Physician, Provider, Training
Long SA, Thomas G, Karam MD
Do skills acquired from training with a wire navigation simulator transfer to a mock operating room environment?
This study compared performance of residents getting traditional and simulation orthopedic surgery training at three medical centers: University of Iowa, University of Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic. All residents first received traditional training in how to treat an intertrochanteric fracture. Then the groups were divided up with two groups getting additional simulated-based training and another group getting proficiency training for specific components of wire navigation. The two simulation-based training groups performed better in lower tip-apex distance than the traditional training group. Residents in the proficiency training group used more images than the other groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS022077; HS025353.
Citation: Long SA, Thomas G, Karam MD .
Do skills acquired from training with a wire navigation simulator transfer to a mock operating room environment?
Clin Orthop Relat Res 2019 Oct;477(10):2189-98. doi: 10.1097/corr.0000000000000799..
Keywords: Simulation, Training, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Surgery, Orthopedics
Long S, Thomas GW, Anderson DD
An extensible orthopaedic wire navigation simulation platform.
The demand for simulation-based skills training in orthopaedics is steadily growing. Wire navigation, or the ability to use 2D images to place an implant through a specified path in bone, is an area of training that has been difficult to simulate given its reliance on radiation based fluoroscopy. The investigators group previously presented on the development of a wire navigation simulator for a hip fracture module. In this paper, they present a new methodology for extending the simulator to other surgical applications of wire navigation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022077; HS025353.
Citation: Long S, Thomas GW, Anderson DD .
An extensible orthopaedic wire navigation simulation platform.
J Med Device 2019 Sep;13(3):031001-310017. doi: 10.1115/1.4043461..
Keywords: Orthopedics, Simulation, Training, Surgery, Education: Continuing Medical Education
Symer MM, Sedrakyan A, Yeo HL
Case sequence analysis of the robotic colorectal resection learning curve.
This study examined trends in the increasing rate of resection surgery for colorectal cancer using robots. It has a major learning curve so investigators wanted to see if complication rates went down as the technology become more common. The cohort included adults undergoing colorectal section from 2008 through 2016 from data in the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative database. The number of procedures started at 76 cases in 2010 and increased to 702 cases in 2015. Findings were that major complications (myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, shock, and death) did not decrease but iatrogenic complications were reduced. The odds of prolonged length of stay also decreased over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Symer MM, Sedrakyan A, Yeo HL .
Case sequence analysis of the robotic colorectal resection learning curve.
Dis Colon Rectum 2019 Sep;62(9):1071-78. doi: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000001437..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Surgery, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Outcomes
Anton NE, Mizota T, Whiteside JA
Mental skills training limits the decay in operative technical skill under stressful conditions: results of a multisite, randomized controlled study.
The authors hypothesize that surgery residents trained on mental skills would outperform controls under increased stress conditions in the simulated operating room. They find that their comprehensive mental skills curriculum implemented with surgery residents at two institutions was effective at minimizing the deterioration of resident technical performance under stressful conditions compared with controls. They conclude that their results provide further evidence for the effectiveness of mental skills training to optimize surgery trainees' technical performance during challenging clinical situations.
AHRQ-funded; R18 HS022080.
Citation: Anton NE, Mizota T, Whiteside JA .
Mental skills training limits the decay in operative technical skill under stressful conditions: results of a multisite, randomized controlled study.
Surgery 2019 Jun;165(6):1059-64. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2019.01.011..
Keywords: Surgery, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Stress, Provider Performance, Training, Provider: Physician, Provider
Martin JR, Anton N, Timsina L
Performance variability during training on simulators is associated with skill transfer.
Researchers looked at performance variability during training on simulators for performing laparoscopic surgery. Their hypothesis was that participants (surgery residents and medical students) who had consistent scores were most likely to have the most expertise and be capable of training others. The trainees first used the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) simulator to learn laparoscopic suturing and then were transfer tested on a live, anesthetized porcine model. Their hypothesis was proven true and those with decreased practice variability was associated with greater scores in posttests and transfer tests.
AHRQ-funded; R18 HS022080.
Citation: Martin JR, Anton N, Timsina L .
Performance variability during training on simulators is associated with skill transfer.
Surgery 2019 Jun;165(6):1065-68. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2019.01.013..
Keywords: Simulation, Training, Surgery, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Provider Performance, Provider: Physician, Provider
Anton NE, Mizota T, Timsina LR
Attentional selectivity, automaticity, and self-efficacy predict simulator-acquired skill transfer to the clinical environment.
The objective of this study was to identify trainee characteristics that predict the transfer of simulator-acquired skill to the operating room. The investigators concluded that promoting automaticity, self-efficacy, and attention selectivity may help improve the transfer of simulator-acquired skill. They indicated that mental skills training and training to automaticity may therefore be valuable interventions to achieve this goal.
AHRQ-funded; HS022080.
Citation: Anton NE, Mizota T, Timsina LR .
Attentional selectivity, automaticity, and self-efficacy predict simulator-acquired skill transfer to the clinical environment.
Am J Surg 2019 Feb;217(2):266-71. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.11.028..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Patient Safety, Provider, Provider: Physician, Simulation, Surgery, Training
Shubeck SP, Kanters AE, Dimick JB
Surgeon leadership style and risk-adjusted patient outcomes.
The goal of this study was to determine if individual surgeons' personality traits and related leadership behaviors – such as participation in continuing education, effective self-reflection, and openness to feedback – correlated with patient-level outcomes after bariatric surgery. Surgeons from the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative (MBSC) were administered the Life Styles Inventory (LSI) assessment, the results of which were then collapsed into three styles corresponding with particular patterns of individual thinking and behavior: constructive, passive/defensive, and aggressive/defensive. Patient-level risk-adjusted rates of complications after bariatric surgery were then used to quantify the impact surgeon style had on post-operative outcomes. The results of the study demonstrate that surgeons' leadership styles are correlated with surgical outcomes for their individual patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS023597.
Citation: Shubeck SP, Kanters AE, Dimick JB .
Surgeon leadership style and risk-adjusted patient outcomes.
Surg Endosc 2019 Feb;33(2):471-74. doi: 10.1007/s00464-018-6320-z.
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Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Patient Safety, Outcomes, Provider: Physician, Surgery
Symer MM, Abelson JS, Wong NZ
Impact of medical school experience on attrition from general surgery residency.
This article describes a national prospective cohort study in which general surgery interns who entered training in the 2007-2008 academic year were asked questions about their medical school experience and reasons for pursuing general surgery residency. The purpose was to discover if inadequate preparation in medical school was responsible for high attrition rates in general surgery residency. Intern responses were linked with American Board of Surgery residency completion data. The results indicate that increased quality, not quantity, of surgery clerkships is associated with improved completion rates of residency. Relationships with positive yet demanding role models were also associated with a lower rate of attrition.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Symer MM, Abelson JS, Wong NZ .
Impact of medical school experience on attrition from general surgery residency.
J Surg Res 2018 Dec;232:7-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2018.06.002..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Surgery
Leeds IL, Rosenblum AJ, Wise PE
Eye of the beholder: risk calculators and barriers to adoption in surgical trainees.
This study examined barriers to surgical trainees in using risk calculator tools before surgery. A total of 124 surgical residents responded to a survey and most still favored more traditional methods for risk calculation including direct verbal communication, sketch diagrams, and brochures. Only about half or less were familiar with more contemporary tools such as best-worst case scenario framing, case-specific risk calculators, and all-procedure calculators.
AHRQ-funded; HS024736.
Citation: Leeds IL, Rosenblum AJ, Wise PE .
Eye of the beholder: risk calculators and barriers to adoption in surgical trainees.
Surgery 2018 Nov;164(5):1117-23. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2018.07.002..
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Decision Making, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Risk, Surgery
Blay E, Engelhardt KE, Hewitt DB
Evaluation of reasons why surgical residents exceeded 2011 duty hour requirements when offered flexibility: a FIRST Trial analysis.
This study’s objective was to examine the reasons why residents exceeded a 24-hour call during their daily shift. Residents in the flexible arm of the Flexibility in Duty Hour Requirement for Surgical Trainees (FIRST) trial were surveyed anonymously. All clinical general surgery residents taking the 2017 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination were included in the survey. There was a very high response rate (99.2%) which included 1838 of 1852 general surgery residents in the FIRST trial. Of those who responded, 21.7% indicated their programs expected them to stay longer. A large majority (78.1%) indicated they wanted to stay longer with only 7.4% reporting coercion from attending surgeons, and 9.3% reporting coercion from senior residents.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Blay E, Engelhardt KE, Hewitt DB .
Evaluation of reasons why surgical residents exceeded 2011 duty hour requirements when offered flexibility: a FIRST Trial analysis.
JAMA Surg 2018 Sep;153(9):860-62. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.1047.
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Keywords: Surgery, Provider: Physician, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Provider
Kanters AE, Shubeck SP, Sandhu G
Justifying our decisions about surgical technique: evidence from coaching conversations.
The objective of this qualitative study was to determine the extent to which practicing surgeons participating in a coaching program justify their technical decisions based on their experience or based on evidence. The investigators found that practicing surgeons often justify their surgical decisions with anecdotal evidence and "lessons learned," rather than deferring to surgical literature. The authors suggest that this either represents a lack of evidence or poor uptake of existing data.
AHRQ-funded; HS023597; HS000053.
Citation: Kanters AE, Shubeck SP, Sandhu G .
Justifying our decisions about surgical technique: evidence from coaching conversations.
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Keywords: Decision Making, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Provider, Practice Patterns, Surgery
Symer MM, Abelson JS, Gade L
Association between American Board of Surgery in-training examination score and attrition from general surgery residency.
In this study, to identify residents at risk of attrition, the investigators analyzed American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam scores based on average rank and change in score. The investigators found that lower American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam scores were associated with attrition, but this difference was small, and some residents completed training with very low scores. A large drop in American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam scores from one year to the next appeared to be associated with attrition.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Symer MM, Abelson JS, Gade L .
Association between American Board of Surgery in-training examination score and attrition from general surgery residency.
Surgery 2018 Aug;164(2):206-11. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2018.03.016..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Surgery
Bateni SB, Canter RJ, Meyers FJ
Palliative care training and decision-making for patients with advanced cancer: a comparison of surgeons and medical physicians.
Surgical decision-making in patients with advanced cancer requires careful thought and deliberation to balance the high risks with the potential palliative benefits. In this study, the investigators sought to compare surgical decision-making and palliative care training among surgeons and medical physicians who commonly treat advanced cancer patients. The investigators concluded that substantial deficiencies in palliative care training persised among surgeons and were associated with more aggressive recommendations for treatment for the selected scenarios presented in patients with advanced cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS022236.
Citation: Bateni SB, Canter RJ, Meyers FJ .
Palliative care training and decision-making for patients with advanced cancer: a comparison of surgeons and medical physicians.
Surgery 2018 Jul;164(1):77-85. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2018.01.021..
Keywords: Decision Making, Palliative Care, Cancer, Surgery, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Training
Yeo HL, Abelson JS, Symer MM
Association of time to attrition in surgical residency with individual resident and programmatic factors.
Attrition in general surgery residency remains high, and attrition that occurs in the later years is the most worrisome. Although several studies have retrospectively investigated the timing of attrition, no study to date has prospectively evaluated a national cohort of residents to understand which residents are at risk for attrition and at what point during residency. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate individual resident and programmatic factors associated with the timing of attrition during general surgery residency.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Yeo HL, Abelson JS, Symer MM .
Association of time to attrition in surgical residency with individual resident and programmatic factors.
JAMA Surg 2018 Jun;153(6):511-17. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.6202.
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Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Provider, Provider: Physician, Surgery
Greenberg CC, Ghousseini HN, Pavuluri Quamme SR
A statewide surgical coaching program provides opportunity for continuous professional development.
Researchers sought to develop and evaluate a video-based coaching program for board-eligible/certified surgeons. They found that, overall, participants were satisfied with their experience and found the coaching program valuable. Future research to evaluate the impact of coaching on practice change and patient outcomes is recommended.
AHRQ-funded; HS022403.
Citation: Greenberg CC, Ghousseini HN, Pavuluri Quamme SR .
A statewide surgical coaching program provides opportunity for continuous professional development.
Ann Surg 2018 May;267(5):868-73. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002341..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Health Services Research (HSR), Patient Safety, Provider, Provider: Physician, Quality of Care, Surgery