Breast Disease-Related Educational Outcomes at the University of Florida

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess resident knowledge related to breast disease at the University of Florida. In addition, we surveyed graduates of our surgery program regarding the importance of breast disease in their surgical practice and we determined if the completion of postgraduate courses on breast disease influenced patient outcome measures. In the decade of the 1990s, we compared the American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination (ABSITE) scores of residents rotating on the breast service in the 6 months immediately prior to examination (June–January) with those residents who had not rotated on the breast service within the 6 months leading up to the ABSITE examination. We also compared ABSITE scores of surgery residents at the University of Florida at Gainesville (breast service) to surgery residents at the University of Florida at Jacksonville (no breast service). Finally, we surveyed graduates of the general surgery program at the University of Florida at Gainesville (1980–1998) to determine the importance of breast disease in their practices and if the completion of postgraduate courses on breast disease influenced rates of breast conservation and immediate breast reconstruction. Residents who rotated on the breast service in the 6 months prior to the ABSITE had significantly fewer incorrect breast-related ABSITE questions than residents who had not rotated on the breast service. Those graduates who had taken postgraduate courses in breast disease responded that they were more likely to perform breast–conserving surgery. There was also a trend for graduates who had completed postgraduate courses on breast disease to respond that they were more likely to perform immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Limiting breast surgery to a single service does not appear to improve resident accumulation and retention of breast disease-related knowledge. Graduates who complete postgraduate courses related to breast disease are more likely to perform breast-conserving surgery and immediate reconstruction following mastectomy. Since the management of breast disease comprises a significant part of general surgical practice, surgical educators must ensure adequate resident education and evaluation with respect to breast disease.