Peripheral nerve surgical competency in plastic surgery and neurosurgery residents

Curtis Budden; Alexander Platt; Andrew Jack; Rick Moulton; Jaret Olson; Vivek Mehta

doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2022.107217

Peripheral nerve surgical competency in plastic surgery and neurosurgery residents

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2022 May:216:107217. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2022.107217. Epub 2022 Mar 22.

Authors

Curtis Budden¹, Alexander Platt², Andrew Jack³, Rick Moulton⁴, Jaret Olson⁵, Vivek Mehta³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: budden@ualberta.ca.
² Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Canada.
³ Division of Neurosurgery, University of Alberta, Canada.
⁴ Division of Neurosurgery, University of Ottawa, Canada.
⁵ Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Alberta, Canada.

PMID: 35339861
DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2022.107217

Abstract

Objective: To assess the case volume and self-perceived competence of current mandatory skills in peripheral nerve surgery.

Design: Cross sectional survey based study examining case volume and self-reported competence in peripheral nerve surgery.

Setting: Canadian Neurosurgery and Plastic Surgery accredited residency programs PARTICIPANTS: All Canadian Neurosurgery and Plastic Surgery senior trainees (PGY 3+) invited to participate RESULTS: Much variability exists in both exposure to cases and perceived senior resident competence for both plastic and neurosurgery residents. Confidence in surgical ability as perceived competency is lower in trainees for more advanced peripheral nerve procedures. Self- reported confidence increased with post-graduate experience.

Conclusions: Overall, the findings in this study highlight the importance of increasing operative experience in complex peripheral nerve surgery among surgical residents.

Keywords: Competency based training; Nerve surgery; Peripheral nerve; Surgical education.