Surgical Resident Experience in Breast Disease: a National Study

Background: Management of breast disease is an integral component of general surgery. This study was performed to describe the exposure to breast disease by residents in Canadian general surgery programs.

Methods: This study involved a 20-item survey and pilot semistructured interviews. Surgical trainees at 12 training programs in Canada participated in the survey. Results were used to characterize resident experience with breast surgery and clinics.

Results: Residents across all post-graduate training years and from 12 Canadian medical schools responded (n = 162, 44 %). Residents had the most breast surgery experience in PGY2 and PGY3 years. One third of trainees performed ≤ 1 breast procedure per month. Only 25 % had attended more than one breast clinic per month. Lumpectomies were the most common procedure (20.7/year) and 94 % of residents performed sentinel lymph node biopsy. Four pilot semistructured interviews were performed. The greatest stated barriers to breast training were "lack of time" and the impression that these were "lower priority cases."

Conclusions: Achieving competence in breast disease management is a key requirement for general surgery trainees. Surgical educators must ensure that the quality and quantity of residency training in breast diseases is sufficient for future surgeons to provide optimal patient care.