Impact of Residents on Hand Surgery Fellows’ Educational Experience: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

To survey current hand surgery fellows on the perceived impact of residents on their fellowship educational experience. Electronic surveys were distributed to 177 hand surgery fellows in the United States. The survey was designed to elucidate details of their fellowship programs, percentage of time working with, and in competition with, residents in differing clinical settings, perception of the impact of residents on their education, and strategies for resolving conflicts with attending physicians and residents. Of the 177 hand surgery fellows, 72 (40.1%) responded to the survey, of which 61 (84.7%) were orthopedic surgery-trained, 11 (15.3%) were plastic surgery-trained, and 0 (0%) were general surgery-trained. As fellows, 56 (78%) respondents reported working alongside a dedicated resident on their service. The median percentage of time spent working with the residents was 50% or higher for all clinical environments. The median perceived percentage time in competition with residents was 25% in the operating room and 0% for all other clinical environments. Fifty-one (71%) respondents agreed or strongly agreed that residents enhanced their educational experience, and 55 (76%) respondents stated that these interactions will positively or somewhat positively affect their abilities to practice as a future hand surgeon. A plurality of fellows reported that they resolved conflicts cooperatively with residents (n= 34, 47.2%) and that this was their preference (n= 36, 50.0%). The majority of fellows were comfortable with discussing educational conflicts with their attending and/or program director (n= 67, 93.1%). Hand surgery fellows frequently work with residents. The operating room is the most frequent site for competition between fellows and residents. Fellows responded positively when asked if residents should be involved in their fellowship. When conflicts do arise, fellows have the skills to manage conflicts with residents collaboratively. This study evaluates the relationship between residents and fellows to improve the postgraduate educational experience.