In 2014 to 2015, the American Council for Graduate Medical Education required that graduating surgical residents must complete 25 cases as a teaching assistant (TA). The definition of TA varies among programs. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into how many cases residents log as a TA, the operative setting, and the types of cases performed. An online survey of 21 questions was sent via email to all general surgery program directors across the nation between August and October of 2015. Questions regarding the number of cases performed as TA, types of cases performed, and the operative setting were asked. We received 88 responses of 200 surveys sent. Fifty-two per cent of programs stated that their graduating residents log more than 25 cases as TA on graduating. All 88 respondents stated that senior residents acted as TAs in the operating room; of these respondents, 59 per cent stated that senior residents acted as TAs in the clinic also, 66 per cent on floors, and 70 per cent in the emergency room. The definition of TA differs among programs. Also, the types of cases that residents log as TA varies among programs as there are no clear guidelines set by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education as to what constitutes a TA case. Nonetheless, in most programs, senior residents perform more than 25 TA cases.
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