Self-assessment of the Training of Vascular Fellows: Survey Results of 219 Vascular Fellows From 2004 Through 2007

Abstract

Introduction. In an attempt to identify the concerns of vascular fellows regarding their training in vascular surgery, we conducted a survey consisting of 22 questions at an annual national meeting from 2004 to 2007. Methods. The fellows were asked to assess various aspects of their training as excellent, satisfactory, or mixed. Results. 76% were satisfied with their endovascular experience during their fellowship while 82% were satisfied with their experience with open cases. The distribution of non-learning cases was felt to be excellent, satisfactory, or required some or much improvement in: 45%, 44%, 8%, and 2% respectively. However, only 61% felt that their vascular laboratory experience was excellent or satisfactory. Only 36% actually performed the vascular duplex exam, and only 49% felt that they would feel comfortable in managing a vascular laboratory. Conclusions. The results of this Survey suggest that several significant issues are reflected in the minds of vascular trainees.

Keywords

vascular fellow training survey

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Available at: www.opm.gov/perform/wppdf/360asess.pdf. Accessed on 11-10-08

Calligaro KD , Dougherty MJ Choice of vascular surgery as a specialty: what is important? Semin Vasc Surg. 2006;19:180-186.

Calligaro KD , Dougherty MJ , Sidawy AN , Cronenwett JL Choice of vascular surgery as a specialty: survey of vascular surgery residents, general surgery chief residents, and medical students at hospitals with vascular surgery training programs. J Vasc Surg. 2004;40: 978-984.

Currie S. , Coughlin PA , Bhasker S. , Hossain J. , Irvine CD , Curley PJ Vascular surgery is an unattractive career option for current basic surgical trainees: a regional perspective. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2007;89:792-795.

Arko FR , Lee WA , Hill BB , et al. Impact of endovascular repair on open aortic aneurysm surgical training. J Vasc Surg. 2001;34:885-891.

Sullivan TM , Taylor SM , Blackhurst DW , et al. Has endovascular surgery reduced the number of open vascular operations performed by an established surgical practice? J Vasc Surg. 2002;36:514-519.

Nowygrod R. , Egorova N. , Greco G. , et al. Trends, complications, and mortality in peripheral vascular surgery. J Vasc Surg. 2006;43:205-216.

Solomon H. , Chao AB , Weaver FA , Katz SG Change in practice patterns of an academic division of vascular surgery. Arch Surg. 2007;142:733-736.

Kashyap VS , Ahn SS , Davis MR , Moore WS , Diethrich EB Trends in endovascular surgery training. J Endovasc Ther. 2002;9:633-638.

10.

Kashyap VS , Ahn SS , Petrik PV , Moore WS Current training and practice of endovascular surgery: a survey. Ann Vasc Surg. 2001;15:294-305.

11.

Cronenwett JL Vascular surgery training in the United States, 1994 to 2003. J Vasc Surg. 2004;40:660-669.

12.

Keeling WB , Stone PA , Armstrong PA , et al. Increasing endovascular intervention for claudication: impact on vascular surgery resident training. J Endovasc Ther. 2006;13:507-513.

13.

Cronenwett JL Vascular surgery training: is there enough case material? Semin Vasc Surg. 2006;19:187-190.