• Benjamin T Jarman, Colette T O'Heron, Kara J Kallies, and Thomas H Cogbill.
• Department of General Surgery, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Electronic address: btjarman@gundersenhealth.org.
• J Surg Educ. 2018 Jul 1; 75 (4): 888-894.

ObjectiveProviding opportunities for autonomy to enhance the development of independence and confidence during surgery residency remains among the greatest challenges of the current training paradigm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of a chief resident service (CRS).DesignA CRS was designed with operative, call and office responsibilities. Supervision and evaluation were consistent with institutional guidelines. CRS operative logs from 2011 to 2014 were compared with logs from the participants' first year in practice. Select procedures were compared and evaluations were reviewed. Residency graduates' satisfaction with the CRS was evaluated.SettingIndependent academic medical center.ParticipantsNine general surgery residency graduates with one complete year in practice.ResultsNine residents completed CRS rotations and submitted case logs. Median total case volume was 1101 (994-1311) during the 5-year residency, 92 (20-149) during CRS and 299 (99-784) during the first year in practice. Median case volumes for selected procedures for the entire 5-year residency, CRS, and first year of practice were: 93 (66-97), 7 (3-16), and 9 (1-26) laparoscopic appendectomies; 146 (120-157), 24 (3-32), and 34 (15-112) laparoscopic cholecystectomies; 81 (51-94), 1 (1-4), and 3 (0-8) ileocolectomies; 57 (35-86), 4 (0-9), and 8 (2-34) ventral/incisional hernia repairs; 102 (87-137), 12 (3-16), and 13 (3-86) inguinal hernia repairs. Graduates reported that the CRS experience was very beneficial to their current practice. Annual program reviews emphasized the CRS as a major strength of our residency.ConclusionsCreation of a CRS to increase resident autonomy and provide continuity of patient care with appropriate faculty supervision was successful. Case mix and volumes provided an opportunity for independent operative and clinical experience during residency which realistically paralleled graduates' first year of practice.Copyright © 2018 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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