title: Training outcomes of preliminary surgical residents in a university and Veterans Affairs surgical residency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nearly 1400 medical students enter preliminary surgical residency each year; placing some of these students into categorical surgical training is an important component of building the future surgical workforce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the training outcomes of preliminary residents in a university and Veterans Affairs surgical residency and to test the hypothesis that characteristics of these residents could be identified that would predict successful placement into categorical general surgical residency.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective cohort of 66 nondesignated preliminary surgical residents who entered a research-intensive, university-based surgical training program with significant Veterans Affairs hospital experience between 2004 and 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Placement of preliminary residents into a categorical general surgical residency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 66 nondesignated preliminary residents enrolled in our program during the study period, 57 completed a postgraduate year (PGY) 1 and 22 completed a PGY-2. A total of 21 residents (32%) secured categorical general surgical positions, 8 of 57 (14%) after PGY-1 and 13 of 22 (59%) after PGY-2, a significantly different rate (P < .001). Predictors of success in obtaining a categorical position included a PGY-2, United States Medical Licensing Examination step 2 score, year 1 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination score, class rank, and prior graduate medical education. By multivariable analysis, only the PGY-2 was significant (P < .03). Residents who obtained categorical surgical positions after 1 preliminary year had significantly higher United States Medical Licensing Examination scores (mean [SD] step 1 score, 235.4 [23.5] vs 206.3 [16.2]; P < .02; step 2 score, 239.3 [21.2] vs 218.5 [16.1]; P < .05) but did not have higher year 1 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination percentiles (mean [SD], 63.3 [33.3] vs 47.3 [30.8]; P < .34).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Performing a PGY-2 preliminary year increases the chance for a preliminary surgical resident to obtain a place in a categorical surgical residency. Programs that offer preliminary positions should consider offering both PGY-1 and PGY-2 positions, because the PGY-2 increases the categorical surgical placement rate, especially for residents with lower test scores.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville2North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville.
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Sarosi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
authors.forename: Michele A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
authors.forename: Kfir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ben-David
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
authors.forename: Kevin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Behrns
mesh_terms: D002322:Career Mobility; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*