Surgeons’ Experiences With Patients’ Concerns Regarding Trainees

Objective Little is known about surgeons’ attitudes toward patients’ concerns about the role of trainees in their care. The nature of the discussion between surgeons and their patients about trainees and the effect on how patients are cared for is an important part of patient-centered care. We aim to elucidate surgeons’ attitude toward patients’ concerns regarding trainee involvement in their care. Design An electronic, web-based 15-question survey (SurveyMonkey) was used. Setting Surveys were sent to 528 e-mail accounts of the members of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. Surgeon demographics, the frequency and nature of patients’ concerns about trainees, and the reactions to these concerns by surgeons were explored. Participants Of the 528 surgeons surveyed, 109 completed the online survey. Most specialties of surgery were represented. Results We analyzed 109 responses (21% response rate). Most surgeons from a variety of specialties were involved with teaching medical students and residents. Half the respondents trained fellows as well. Patients’ concerns are raised more often in the community setting where surgeons are more likely to alter their practice. Conclusions Although patients’ concerns about trainee involvement are infrequent, they arise enough to deserve specific attention in the current patient-centric environment. Surgeons successfully negotiate to have trainee involvement in the vast majority of cases. Specific guidelines should be developed and adopted to ensure that patients consent to trainee involvement and understand the role of trainees and their supervision.