Telemedicine Experience of General Surgery Trainees: Impact on Patient Care and Education.
Publication Year:
2022
PubMed ID:
34049446
Funding Grants:
Public Summary:
This study aimed to understand the use of telemedicine by general surgery residents during the COVID-19 pandemic at the University of Southern California. All surveyed residents participated in the study. Most residents had experience with telemedicine, but none had received formal training for it. Many expressed a desire for training and believed that telemedicine should be part of surgical education. Residents had diverse opinions on their educational experiences with telemedicine. The study highlights the growing role of telemedicine in patient care and the need for further investigation into its integration into surgical training programs.
Scientific Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on patient care, including the increased utilization of contact-free clinic visits using telemedicine. We looked to assess current utilization of, experience with, and opinions regarding telemedicine by general surgery residents at an academic university-based surgical training program. DESIGN: A response-anonymous 19-question survey was electronically distributed to all general surgery residents at a single academic university-based general surgery residency program. SETTING: University of Southern California (USC) general surgery residency participants: Voluntarily participating general surgery residents at the University of Southern California. RESULTS: The response rate from USC general surgery residents was 100%. A majority of residents (76%) had utilized either video- or telephone-based visits during their careers. No resident had undergone formal training to provide telemedicine, although most residents indicated a desire for training (57.1%) and acknowledged that telemedicine should be a part of surgical training (75.6%). A wide variety of opinions regarding the educational experience of residents participating in telemedicine visits was elicited. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic brought telemedicine to the forefront as an integral part of future patient care, including for surgical patients. Additional investigations into nationwide telemedicine exposure and practice among United States general surgery residencies is imperative, and the impact of the implementation of telemedicine curricula on general surgery resident telemedicine utilization, comfort with telemedicine technology, and patient outcomes are further warranted. COMPETENCIES: Practice-based learning, systems-based practice, interpersonal and communication skills.