A Mentorship-Based Surgery Clerkship: A Prospective Study Investigating Student Satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Interest in general surgery has steadily decreased among medical students due to negative perceptions of surgeons, a lack of meaningful clerkship involvement, and inadequate mentorship. We implemented a novel mentorship-based surgery clerkship (MBSC) in which each student was matched with a resident mentor with the goals of enhancing student learning experience, meaningfulness, and interest in surgery. We hypothesized that students participating in the MBSC would report increased confidence in surgical competencies, exposure to surgical faculty, and positive perception of surgery, with no detriment to clerkship grades. METHODS: Mentors were instructed to provide the following when asked by the student: (1) weekly feedback; (2) personalized goals; (3) daily cases; (4) specific videos; (5) presentation subjects; (6) operating room skills coaching. A 5-point Likert Scale survey was distributed to the students pre and post clerkship, and median differences in Likert Scale Score pre and post mentorship were compared between mentored and control groups using the unpaired Wilcoxon's test. This was a two-arm, nonrandomized trial comparing traditional curriculum with the mentored program. RESULTS: The total sample size was n = 84. When comparing mentored to control, Wilcoxon's analysis showed greater post clerkship increases in confidence in operating room etiquette (P = 0.03), participating in rounds (P = 0.02), and suturing (P < 0.01). There were greater increases in perceived surgeon compassion (P = 0.04), respectfulness (P < 0.01), and teaching ability (P < 0.01). Median scores for meaningfulness overall (P = 0.01) and as measured as a feeling of positively impacting a patient (P = 0.02) were also increased when comparing mentored to control. More students were encouraged by a surgeon to pursue surgery (P = 0.01) and consider a surgery career themselves (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: An MBSC increases meaningfulness, confidence, skills, and exposure in various surgical competencies. Compared to nonmentored students, MBSC students have more positive perceptions of surgeons and are more likely to pursue surgery.

Postoperative Handheld Gastric Point-of-Care Ultrasound and Delayed Bowel Function.

BACKGROUND: Delayed bowel function (DBF) following intra-abdominal surgery is a common problem that contributes to postoperative complications and prolonged length of stay. Use of a handheld gastric point-of-care ultrasound (GPOCUS) can identify a full vs empty stomach in the postoperative period. We hypothesized that the findings of a full stomach identified on a postoperative day 1 (POD1) GPOCUS exam would predict an increased risk of delayed bowel function. STUDY DESIGN: A blinded, prospective cohort study was performed. Postoperative colorectal surgery patients were identified as having either a full or empty stomach based on previously published definitions. GPOCUS examinations were performed on POD1 using a handheld ultrasound device, and the clinicians were blinded to the results. Demographic and perioperative data were collected. The primary outcome variable was gastrointestinal-3 (GI-3) recovery, defined as time to tolerance of diet and either flatus or bowel movement. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients agreed to participate in the study; fifty were eligible and included. Eighteen patients' stomachs were identified as full on POD1 GPOCUS examination, and thirty-two were identified as empty. No significant demographic or perioperative differences existed between groups. Patients with full stomachs had significantly delayed GI-3 recovery (4 vs 1 days, p < 0.0001) and longer length of stay (5 vs 3 days, p < 0.0001). Full-stomach patients also had significantly more emesis and nasogastric tube (NGT) placement (both p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GPOCUS performed on POD1 can predict DBF, length of stay, likelihood of emesis, and NGT placement. Use of handheld devices for GPOCUS showed promise for the identification of patients at high risk for DBF and could provide an opportunity for pre-emptive intervention.

A brief history of the office of the Surgeon General and the 2 surgeons who have held the position.

BACKGROUND: The Surgeon General oversees the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and is viewed as the "Nation's Doctor," responsible for providing the public with information on living healthier and safer lives. The Surgeon General's influence is seen through public health initiatives such as warning labels on tobacco and alcohol products. The objectives of this paper are to describe the tradition of the Office of the Surgeon General as created by Dr John M. Woodworth and to describe the careers of Dr C. Everett Koop and Dr Richard H. Carmona-the only 2 surgeons by training to hold the role. METHODS: This is a historical literature review using a combination of primary and secondary sources. RESULTS: Dr Woodworth set the priorities and responsibilities of the Surgeon General's Office: education, public service, sanitation, and public health. Dr Koop is widely regarded as the most influential Surgeon General of all time. He was both a pioneer in pediatric surgery and a highly influential public figure, issuing landmark reports on smoking, violence, and AIDS. Dr Carmona is a trauma surgeon by training and focused on the dangers of second-hand smoke as Surgeon General. Dr Carmona served in a more political role as Surgeon General, eventually running for Senate at the end of his term. CONCLUSION: This brief review of the history of the Surgeon General's Office highlights the contributions of the first Surgeon General and the only 2 surgeons who have held the position.