Barber Jude C, Velez David R, Johnson Stefan W, Sticca Robert P
Department of Surgery, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA.
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
Am Surg. 2025 Aug;91(8):1298-1302. doi: 10.1177/00031348251313992. Epub 2025 Jan 8.
BackgroundThe shortage of general surgeons in rural America is well documented. The North Dakota community-based general surgery residency program initiated a unique approach to training for rural practice through a dedicated rural track. The rural track included 9 months of rotations in specialty rotations beneficial for rural practice. This study analyzed practice patterns and satisfaction of residents completing rural track training.MethodsAn anonymous voluntary survey was sent to rural track graduates between 2010 and 2022 via the Qualtrics Web site.Data Collection IncludedSpecialty rotations completed, specialty procedures currently performing, satisfaction with rural track training, and recommended specialty rotations for future rural track graduates.ResultsTwelve of fifteen graduates (80%) responded. Eighty-three percent of respondents chose the rural track because they desired practice in rural areas and/or desired broad-spectrum surgical practice. One hundred percent of the graduates were satisfied with their training. Seventy-five percent of the graduates came from a rural background, and 75% either previously practiced or currently practice in a rural community. Procedural data demonstrated that 67% of the graduates performed endoscopy procedures, 42% performed hand procedures, and 47% performed C-sections. Rural track graduates desired more experience in urology (50%), ENT, OBGYN, and advanced endoscopy (33%). Experience in plastic surgery, GI, hand surgery, dermatology, and IR was cited as beneficial.ConclusionThe rural track graduates found significant value in their rural track training that benefited them in practice. Three quarters of the graduates entered rural surgery practice, performing a broad spectrum of procedures.
背景
美国农村地区普通外科医生短缺的情况有充分记录。北达科他州基于社区的普通外科住院医师培训项目通过专门的农村培训路径开创了一种独特的农村医疗实践培训方法。农村培训路径包括为期9个月的轮转，涉及对农村医疗实践有益的专科轮转。本研究分析了完成农村培训路径的住院医师的执业模式和满意度。
方法
通过Qualtrics网站向2010年至2022年间完成农村培训路径的毕业生发送了一份匿名自愿调查问卷。
数据收集内容包括
完成的专科轮转、目前进行的专科手术、对农村培训路径的满意度以及对未来农村培训路径毕业生推荐的专科轮转。
结果
15名毕业生中有12名（80%）回复。83%的受访者选择农村培训路径是因为他们希望在农村地区执业和/或希望从事广谱外科手术。100%的毕业生对他们的培训感到满意。75%的毕业生来自农村背景，75%的人曾在农村社区执业或目前仍在农村社区执业。手术数据显示，67%的毕业生进行内窥镜手术，42%进行手部手术，47%进行剖宫产。农村培训路径毕业生希望在泌尿外科（50%）、耳鼻喉科、妇产科和高级内窥镜检查方面获得更多经验（33%）。整形手术、胃肠病学、手外科、皮肤科和介入放射学方面的经验被认为是有益的。
结论
农村培训路径的毕业生发现他们的农村培训路径培训具有重大价值，这在实践中使他们受益。四分之三的毕业生进入农村外科实践，进行广泛的手术。
