The next generation of surgical residencies. What are the challenges and the opportunities?
R. W. Barnes
Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
I suggest restructuring general surgical residencies to facilitate training
of surgical specialists and subspecialists. Basic surgical education for 1
or 2 years should provide a foundation of fundamental cognitive, technical,
and patient management skills useful for all surgery residents, regardless
of discipline. Intermediate surgical education for an additional 2 or 3
years should amplify cognitive, technical, and clinical skills and senior
responsibility in general surgery for individuals entering a general
surgical subspecialty or for advanced general surgery training. Residents
seeking a career in advanced general surgery would take 2 additional years
of training in advanced surgery. Such individuals could pursue additional
subspecialty training and research experience to qualify as academic
surgical scientists. Implementation of such innovations in general surgical
education awaits the cooperative joint efforts of appropriate accrediting
and certifying organizations, specialty societies, and surgical program
directors.
