title: International rotations: A valuable source to supplement operative experience for acute-care surgery, trauma, and surgical critical care fellows.
abstract: Acute-care surgery (ACS), trauma, and surgical critical care (SCC) fellowships graduate fellows deemed qualified to perform complex cases immediately upon graduation. We hypothesize international fellow rotations can be a resource to supplement operative case exposure.
  
  
  
  A survey was sent to all program directors (PDs) of ACS and SCC fellowships via e-mail. Data were captured and analyzed using the REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) tool.
  
  
  
  The survey was sent to 113 PDs, with a response rate of 42%. Most fellows performed less than 150 operative cases (59.5%). The majority of PDs thought the operative exposure either could be improved or was not enough to ensure expertise in trauma and emergent general surgery. Only a minority of the PDs found their case load exceptional (can be improved: 43%, not enough: 30% exceptional: 27%). Most PDs thought an international experience could supplement the breadth of cases, provide research opportunities, and improve understanding of trauma systems (70%). Ten sites offered international rotations (70%). Most fellowships would be willing to provide reciprocity to the host institution (90%).
  
  
  
  The majority of PDs for ACS, trauma, and SCC programs perceive a need for increased quality and quantity of operative cases. The majority recognize international fellow rotations as a valuable tool to supplement fellows' education.
authors: From the Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (P.F., R.R., M.A.); Department of Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California D.A.S.); Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (K.A.D.); Department of Surgery, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada (J.J.F.); Department of Surgery, Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, Maryland (T.M.S.); and Department of Surgery, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Ferrada
authors: Rao R
authors: RR
authors: Ivatury
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Spain
authors: Kimberly A
authors: KA
authors: Davis
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Aboutanos
authors: John J
authors: JJ
authors: Fildes
authors: Thomas M
authors: TM
authors: Scalea
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States