The Use of Resident-Run Clinics as an Educational Tool in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency

Abstract

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. BackgroundThe use of resident-run clinics to provide operative and clinical training is utilized in orthopaedic surgery, and other specialties (Neaman, Hill, Ebner, & Ford, 2010; Pyle, Angobaldo, Bryant, Marks, & David, 2010). Many orthopaedic residency programs promote resident-run clinics on their websites, but the structure and number of clinics remains unknown.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to provide insight into the current utilization of resident-run clinics in orthopaedic surgery residency programs and to assess program structure. Additionally, in programs that do not utilize a resident-run clinic, this study sought to assess program consideration and perceived barriers for instituting a resident-run clinic.Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited orthopaedic surgery residency programs in the United States were asked to complete an anonymous on-line survey. In 2016, an e-mail was sent to the 150 ACGME accredited orthopaedic surgery residency Program coordinators. The email was unable to be delivered to 4 programs, making the total number of programs 146.ResultsOf the 28 orthopaedic residency PCs that responded to the survey, 18 indicated their programs had resident-run clinics (64%). At 78% of resident-run clinics, residents spent one half-day per week in clinic. At 56% of programs, residents participated in resident-run clinics 4-5 times per month. Residents saw 11+ patients in an individual clinic setting (61%) and scheduled on average 6+ surgical cases per month out of clinic (72%).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that resident-run clinics in orthopaedic surgery residency may provide a valuable learning environment by exposing residents to a reasonable volume and variety of patients with appropriate supervision.