title: The effect of a dedicated endocrine surgery program on general surgery training: a single institutional experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The endocrine surgery program was established at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2006 to enhance the educational experience of surgical residents in this area. The impact of this program on subjective and objective measures of resident education was prospectively tracked.
  
  
  METHODS
  Resident case logs, American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination scores, self-assessment surveys, and annual rotation evaluations from July 2005 to June 2009 were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of endocrine cases reported by graduates doubled during the study period (from 18 to 36, P < .001). Self-assessment scores increased for thyroid (from 4.53 to 5.76, P = .04) and parathyroid (from 4.46 to 5.90, P = .03) disorders. The mean rating for the endocrine rotation (from 3.23 to 3.95, P = .005) improved, with specific increases in the quantity (from 3.05 to 3.74, P = .02) and quality (from 3.25 to 3.95, P = .002) of operative experience. Since 2006, trainees have coauthored 17 peer-reviewed reports and 3 textbook chapters on endocrine topics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The establishment of a dedicated endocrine surgery program has a measurable impact on resident education within this core content area.
authors: Division of General Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. jewiseman@tmhs.org
authors: James E
authors: JE
authors: Wiseman
authors: Philip H G
authors: PH
authors: Ituarte
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Ro
authors: Jesse D
authors: JD
authors: Pasternak
authors: Chi A
authors: CA
authors: Quach
authors: Areti K
authors: AK
authors: Tillou
authors: O Joe
authors: OJ
authors: Hines
authors: Jonathan R
authors: JR
authors: Hiatt
authors: Michael W
authors: MW
authors: Yeh
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004704:Endocrinology / Q000193:education*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012577:Schools, Medical; D012647:Self-Assessment