Hospitals

Research shows medical residents make experiences for patients and surgeons better

New research demonstrates the benefit of having medical residents present for surgeries.

According to a new study presented during the 110th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) on Sunday, the presence of medical residents increased satisfaction and quality of life levels for both patients and surgeons.

The researchers, from Southern Illinois University in Springfield, IL, looked at differences in satisfaction levels and outcomes based on urologic procedures both with surgeons accompanied by residents and those who were not. Both were tracked for a two-year period from January 2010 until December 2011.

According to PRNewswire, the researchers looked at data from 2,243 urologic cases covering six urologic procedures. Of these, 1,015 were in the pre-resident period (839 surgical; 176 non-surgical) and 1,228 were in the post-resident period (960 surgical; 268 non-surgical).

Here’s what the researchers found:

  • The length of time spent in the operating room during surgery increased between six and 72 minutes with resident involvement, however no impacts on complications were recorded. Additionally, both surgical and non-surgical re-admission rates slightly increased.
  • Patient satisfaction scores were higher in every category with the presence of residents, and patients were more likely to report they ‘always’ received quality care (78.6 percent versus 82.5 percent).
  • Faculty perceptions of job satisfaction, quality of life, and perception of patient care were all substantially improved with the inclusion of residents.

“This study further supports the benefit of resident support within the health delivery system, not only among patients but also among attending physicians,” explained John Lacy MD, chief resident in Urology at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. “These findings demonstrate the importance of increasing resident education programs in hospitals across the country.”

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